Council to charge for beauty spot car parking

Move to go ahead despite huge opposition from locals

- ALEXANDER BROCK Local Democracy Reporter

BIRMINGHAM City Council is planning to push ahead with controversial plans to introduce parking charges at three beauty spots despite backlash from residents.

The crisis-hit council passed through another painful budget earlier this year which included an enormous wave of 'savings' and cuts to services, as well as a council tax hike for a second successive year.

One divisive proposal was 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.

A consultation was held recently on the plans which showed a "significant proportion" were not in favour of the proposed parking charges, as a council report now reveals.

Despite this, the Labour-run council is planning to proceed with the proposals - albeit, with slightly revised charges.