{"id":327236,"date":"2025-08-08T06:55:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T06:55:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/327236\/"},"modified":"2025-08-08T06:55:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T06:55:14","slug":"major-update-to-sutton-park-and-lickey-hills-parking-charge-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/327236\/","title":{"rendered":"Major update to Sutton Park and Lickey Hills parking charge plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Birmingham City Council wants to introduce new parking charges at Sutton Park, Lickey Hills and Sheldon Country Park<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS309876472_censored.jpg\" alt=\"An entrance to Sutton Park, Birmingham\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>An entrance to Sutton Park, Birmingham(Image: Nick Wilkinson\/Birmingham Live)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Parking restrictions are being considered for a number of \u2018hotspot\u2019 <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Birmingham<\/a> areas amid plans to introduce new charges at three beauty spots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">After it effectively declared itself bankrupt in 2023, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/birmingham-city-council\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Birmingham City Council<\/a> has passed through an unprecedented wave of \u2018savings\u2019 and cuts to local services.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">One of the most controversial proposals was to bring in parking charges at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/all-about\/sutton-coldfield\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Sutton Park<\/a>, Sheldon Country Park and Lickey Hills Country Park \u2013 three of the city\u2019s most popular green spaces.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">READ MORE: <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/news\/midlands-news\/an-incredible-risk-fight-against-32213917\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">&#8216;An incredible risk&#8217; &#8211; Fight against controversial Birmingham youth centre plans intensifies<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">A formal public consultation on the plans has now been launched following an informal one which took place at the end of last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cAs part of the budget for 2025\/26, the principle of charging was agreed to achieve necessary savings and help sustain, protect and maintain our 660 parks and green spaces,\u201d it read.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cIntroducing charges at [the three parks] will bring Birmingham in line with similar places around the UK to offset the cost of maintaining this destination site.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">It goes on to insist the proposed scheme will provide a number of benefits, including the introduction of parking restrictions to manage the impact of displacement parking for residents who live near the parks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cThe council is aware of the potential for displacement parking and will therefore be looking at parking restrictions in existing hotspot areas and any need for further restrictions following residents\u2019 feedback,\u201d the consultation page said.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_JS222782833.jpg\" alt=\"Autumn leaves at Lickey Hills Country Park, Birmingham.\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Autumn leaves at Lickey Hills Country Park, Birmingham.(Image: Jacob King\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cA separate consultation exercise will be completed around parking restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">It went on to say surplus revenue from the charges would be used to:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Fund investment opportunities to improve the park e.g. renewable energy projects, improvements in biodiversity.<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Provide reinvestment funds for parks infrastructure.<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\">Make improvements to the park and overall visitor experience e.g. pothole and fence repairs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">\u2018Controversial and unpopular\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">The proposals have been met with backlash from those who took part in the informal consultation and opposition councillors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">A total of 919 respondents in the previous consultation (78.4 per cent) felt access to Lickey Hills should remain free.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">For Sheldon Country Park, that figure was 120 respondents (65.9 per cent) while for Sutton Park it was 2,741 respondents (68.2 per cent).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Acknowledging the opposition to the proposed charges, a recent council report acknowledged: \u201cThe introduction of parking charges is often controversial and unpopular as users are asked to pay for something that has previously been free.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">However, it continued that the projected income from the parking charges still falls short of the cost of maintaining the three parks in question.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">READ MORE: <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birminghammail.co.uk\/news\/midlands-news\/birmingham-residents-make-clear-demand-32217629\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Birmingham residents make clear demand &#8211; save \u2018historic\u2019 Black Sabbath landmark<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cTherefore it is deemed reasonable to ask park users to contribute financially to the upkeep and maintenance of these parks,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u201cDespite the introduction of parking charges, there will still be a requirement for financial support from the council\u2019s general fund to maintain and manage these parks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">The report went on to say there was more support for the revised parking charges, which were lower than the consulted ones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Coun Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment, previously also said there would be a grace period of 30 minutes and free parking permits for park volunteers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Lickey Hills:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Original proposals:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a32.20 for up to 2 hours, \u00a33.30 for 2 to 4 hours, \u00a35.00 all day<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Cost of annual parking permit price to be determined<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Chargeable hours of 9am to 6pm, 365 days a year<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Revised proposals:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a31 per hour up to 4 hours, \u00a35.00 all day<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a352 per annum<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">No change to chargeable hours (9am to 6pm, 365 days a year)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_JS326740973_censored.jpg\" alt=\"Birmingham City Council House in Victoria Square\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Birmingham City Council House in Victoria Square(Image: Christopher Furlong\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Sutton Park:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Original proposals:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a32.20 for up to 2 hours, \u00a33.30 for 2 to 4 hours, \u00a35.00 all day<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Cost of annual parking permit price to be determined<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Chargeable hours of 9am to 6pm, 365 days a year<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Revised proposals:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a31 per hour up to 4 hours, \u00a35.00 all day<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a352 per annum<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">No change to chargeable hours (9am to 6pm, 365 days a year)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Sheldon Country Park:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Original proposals:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a32.20 for up to 2 hours, \u00a33.30 for 2 to 4 hours, \u00a35.00 all day<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Cost of annual parking permit price to be determined<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Chargeable hours of 9am to 6pm, 365 days a year<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Revised proposals:<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a30.75 per hour up to 3 hours, \u00a33.50 all day<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">\u00a352 per annum<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">No change to chargeable hours (9am to 6pm, 365 days a year)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Birmingham City Council wants to introduce new parking charges at Sutton Park, Lickey Hills and Sheldon Country ParkAn&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":327237,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7820],"tags":[855,984,748,393,728,4884,285,44371,20657,16,15,9162],"class_list":{"0":"post-327236","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-birmingham","8":"tag-birmingham","9":"tag-birmingham-city-council","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-environment","13":"tag-great-britain","14":"tag-politics","15":"tag-sheldon","16":"tag-sutton-park","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom","19":"tag-worcestershire"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114991839862380108","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/327236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=327236"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/327236\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/327237"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=327236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=327236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=327236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}