'We're paying the price' to park at beauty spot

An MP has criticised Birmingham City Council for introducing parking charges at Lickey Hills Country Park while shelving similar proposals for Sutton Park and Sheldon Country Park.

The authority had originally proposed charges at the three beauty spots to help cover maintenance costs after it declared itself bankrupt in 2023. The move triggered a wave of anger.

Bradley Thomas, Conservative MP for Bromsgrove, in Worcestershire, which borders Lickey Hills, said after the latest decision: "We're paying the price for Birmingham City Council's financial mismanagement."

The council said it had reconsidered the "individual circumstances" of each park and would progress plans only at Lickey Hills.

Whereas, proposed charges at Sheldon Country Park and Sutton Park were being reviewed.

Cabinet members have been recommended to delay the implementation of charges at Sutton Park whilst the "future operational model" for the park is under review.

This comes amid a "long-standing aspiration" of both the city council and town council for Sutton Park to be placed in an independent trust, which could include trustees appointed by the authorities.

"The city council... recognises the importance of working in partnership with the town council on the best delivery model for this important asset," a new report said.

"The city and town council will therefore jointly commission an external review to set out a Trust or different partnership models that could be applied to [Sutton Park].

But for Thomas and his constituents, he says this has "come at a time where access to green spaces and healthy lifestyles are more important than ever".

And these particular proposals have proven deeply controversial – for instance, 919 respondents in an informal consultation (78%) felt access to Lickey Hills Country Park should remain free.

There was also a political backlash, with councillor Robert Alden, Conservative group leader, previously describing the charges as "unfair, unjustified and completely out of touch with the people of Birmingham".

BCC is expected to consider proposals for Sutton Park at a cabinet meeting on 10 November.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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