{"id":79604,"date":"2025-05-06T16:35:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T16:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/79604\/"},"modified":"2025-05-06T16:35:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T16:35:14","slug":"charging-proposal-for-birmingham-park-set-to-proceed-despite-78-per-cent-opposition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/79604\/","title":{"rendered":"Charging proposal for Birmingham park set to proceed despite 78 per cent opposition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Birmingham City Council acknowledged the introduction of parking charges is “often controversial and unpopular” in a recent report\"AA moment of contemplation at the Lickey Hills(Image: Graham Young, Birmingham Mail)<\/p>\n

Crisis-hit Birmingham City Council is to proceed with divisive plans to introduce parking charges at Lickey Hills Country Parking despite huge opposition.<\/p>\n

The consequences of the Labour<\/a>-run council\u2019s financial turmoil have been far-reaching, impacting waste collection, libraries, street lighting, culture, adult social care day centres and much more.<\/p>\n

One proposal which has been met with significant backlash is to introduce parking charges at Lickey Hills, one of the city\u2019s most iconic and historic beauty spots.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Birmingham residents make demand amid \u2018outrageous\u2019 update on council crisis inquiry<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The council also wants to bring in charges at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield<\/a> and Sheldon Country Park, close to Birmingham Airport<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Coun Adrian Delaney (Conservative<\/a>, Rubery and Rednal) has spoken out against the proposal for Lickey Hills in particular, saying recently on social media: \u201cThis land was gifted to Birmingham City Council<\/a> by George Cadbury.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I just wonder if he were alive today, I think he\u2019d be absolutely appalled by these plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will hit local people hard, especially those people that use the park for exercise, well-being and for community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about parking fees, it\u2019s about treating our community with respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CounCoun Adrian Delaney (Conservative, Rubery and Rednal) at Lickey Hills Country Park<\/p>\n

A council report showed a \u201csignificant proportion\u201d of the people who responded to a consultation were not in favour of the proposed parking charges.<\/p>\n

For Lickey Hills Country Park in particular, 919 respondents of the consultation (78.4 per cent) felt access to the park should remain free.<\/p>\n

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

Despite the level of opposition, the council is planning to proceed with the proposals, which have been slightly revised following the feedback.<\/p>\n

\u2018I know these things can be unpopular\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Earlier this year, council leader John Cotton was asked if such charges should be introduced at Lickey Hills, which were given as a gift to the people of Birmingham<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He responded: \u201cIt\u2019s important we look at all options for raising income.<\/p>\n

“I know sometimes these things can be unpopular and create challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I think we\u2019ve also got a responsibility to look at every opportunity we have to generate income to bring the budget back into balance.”<\/p>\n

Acknowledging the opposition to the proposed charges, the council report added: \u201cThe introduction of parking charges is often controversial and unpopular as users are asked to pay for something that has previously been free.<\/p>\n

\"CouncilCouncil leader John Cotton during the budget meeting on March 4(Image: Alexander Brock)<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, the projected income from parking charges still falls short of the cost of maintaining the three parks in question.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore it is deemed reasonable to ask park users to contribute financially to the upkeep and maintenance of these parks.<\/p>\n

\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

It said charges across \u201cdestination sites\u201d throughout the UK had become common practice.<\/p>\n

The report said: \u201cIn the vast majority of cases, parking charges for these sites have been in place for several years.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong>Birmingham City Council accused of ‘undermining local democracy’ after divisive change<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIntroducing charges on Birmingham\u2019s sites will be in line with national best practice to offset the cost of maintaining these destination sites.\u201d<\/p>\n

It added that there was support for revised parking charges which were lower than the consulted ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis support for reduced parking charges was echoed by the feedback from park stakeholders who argued if the introduced parking charges are lower (than the consulted charges) it will minimise the negative impact on the trade of businesses within the parks,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

\u201cReduced charges are more popular amongst consultees and whilst that would imply an income deficit, we expect the visitor numbers to increase (with less displacement parking) at such levels as to mitigate the impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both the original and revised proposed charges for Lickey Hills, Sheldon Country Park and Sutton Park can be found below:<\/p>\n

Lickey Hills Country Park:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Original proposals:<\/p>\n