Proposals for new charges at three Birmingham beauty spots slammed as ‘unfair’

Proposals for car parking charges at three Birmingham beauty spots have been met with backlash as the crisis-hit city council looks to make more budget savings. The council is proposing to introduce these charges at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, Lickey Hills Country Park on the Worcestershire border and Sheldon Country Park, close to Birmingham Airport.

It said last that week that it wants the views of visitors, as well as nearby residents and businesses, as part of an initial three-week informal consultation, prior to a formal one. The Labour-run council added that as part of the budget for 2025/26, the “principle of charging was agreed” to achieve necessary savings and “help sustain, protect and maintain” the city’s 660 parks and green spaces.

Earlier this year, the local authority was forced to pass through an unprecedented budget, which contained an enormous array of proposed service cuts, in a bid to tackle a huge black hole in its finances. And the following months have seen further misery for Brummies, seen recently with the plans to increase fees and charges for hundreds of council services.

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Reacting to the proposals for parking charges at the three parks, Cllr Adrian Delany (Conservative, Rubery and Rednal) argued that they could mean that “Labour’s double whammy of higher taxes for fewer services spreads ever further". He continued: “We’ve been in this situation with the city’s country parks like the Lickey Hills in the past and residents are also clear that they don’t want these charges introduced.

“This is a cynical attempt by panicked Labour politicians". Cllr David Pears (Conservative, Sutton Trinity) described the proposed charges as “unfair”.

“Time and time again, the Labour administration has attempted to introduce these parking charges,” he said. “Every time, residents have been clear that they strongly oppose these charges at Sutton Park.”

He went on to express concern that fewer people could pursue outdoor exercise in green spaces if the charges were introduced. Cllr Richard Parkin (Conservative, Sutton Reddicap) also urged residents to say no to the proposals and said an emergency public meeting would be held on Wednesday, November 27 at Sutton Town Hall.

Cllr Majid Mahmood (Labour, Bromford and Hodge Hill), the cabinet member for environment and transport at the council, said Birmingham has “fantastic” green spaces across the city, including major parks with “great facilities”. “But we need to be able to maintain them for the benefit of everyone,” he said in a statement.

“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". As well as Birmingham-specific issues, such as the Oracle system and equal pay debacles, the city council has had to contend with other factors such as funding cuts and the rising demand for services.