Anger as Birmingham parks could soon charge people to park - even on Christmas Day

Birmingham City Council has launched a new consultation into previously mooted proposals to introduce car parking charges at three city parks. The city council is once again proposing to introduce parking charges at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, Lickey Hills Country Park on the Worcestershire border and Sheldon Country Park, close to Birmingham Airport.

In Sutton Coldfield there has been repeated opposition to introduce charges, with councillors objecting and speaking of the huge capital costs needed to bring the car parks and roadways up to scratch, and how the need for TROs (traffic regulation orders) to prevent parking on surrounding roads and verges would be prohibitive.

But the plans were raised in last year’s local budget as part of the city council’s desperate attempts to make money to plug holes in its finances. And now the parking charge proposals are a step closer as the authority launches its ‘informal’ consultation, with separate online surveys for each of the parks asking a range of questions.

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These first ask how often respondents use the park and if they live in the city. The next question on the Sutton Park survey: “What do you think a reasonable level of charging (parking rates) would be?”

Then it asks “Would the option of a parking season ticket be of interest to you?” and “What do you think would be a reasonable amount for an annual season ticket for parking at Sutton Park?”

The survey indicates parking charges would apply from 9am to 6pm every day of the year, including Christmas Day. It says: “Please let us know your views on the proposed parking time.” With the survey concluding by asking: “Please let us know what improvements you’d like to see in Sutton Park.”

The same questions are asked on the Sheldon Country Park survey and the one for Lickey Hills Country Park. Each of the ‘consultations’ is open for three weeks until, Friday, December 6.

Sutton Trinity city and town councillor, David Pears (Cons.) who also chairs the Sutton Park Advisory Committee, said: “I can see residents being deeply concerned about this. The survey asks general questions about where people live and what would a reasonable level of charging.

“Clearly to me, it seems the decision is made. But there’s nothing on who covers the costs of work needed in the park an around it. This will lead to a lot of questions.

“I am looking to have a public meeting on it. I want to raise the profile of this important issue that residents of Sutton Coldfield care about. People have got to respond by December 6, just three weeks, in what is a busy time of the year.”

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He continued: “To me, last time it was very clear the residents were dead against it. They were worried about parking in the streets around the park and queues of traffic around the park. The consequences of the parking charges.

“I wanted to raise awareness of this to the residents of Sutton Coldfield. They need to respond to this.

“I think Birmingham City Council didn’t need to come with this. The town council has spoken to them. The town council commissioned a report from LUC [Land Use Consultants, made public in February 2022].

“It detailed a trust model, with contributions from the city council, Sutton town council and because of it being in a trust, finding from other providers, like Heritage Lottery funding. It needs £3 million to £5 million being spent on it to bring it up to scratch.

“The last time any real chunk of money was spent in the park was £250,000 from John Alden when the city council was under Conservative control. The current council has squandered millions.

“Charging people for using their cars in Sutton Park is a small amount of money that causes a bigger problem. Would that money be spent on the park? It’s a local green space with two million visitors a year. A popular location used by people around the city. Because of the money they would have to spend on the park I was hoping this would go away. It was just a nonsense last time.”

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A Birmingham City Council spokeswoman said it is: “Seeking feedback on proposals to charge for parking at three of its parks: Sheldon Country Park; Lickey Hills Country Park; and Sutton Park. We would like to hear the views of visitors and nearby residents and businesses as part of an initial three-week informal consultation, prior to a formal consultation.

“As 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.”

Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We have some fantastic green spaces all over the city, including major parks with great facilities, but we need to be able to maintain them for the benefit of everyone.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

“So we want to hear from people who use the parks, whether for walking, cycling, walking the dog, exercising or just catching up with friends. Our green spaces are vital parts of communities as well as being popular for visitors from further afield, so please let us know your thoughts. We would like to know your views on what you think are appropriate charges and when you should be charged.”