‘Shocking’ – Sutton Park car parking charges plan slammed by MP saying it will cause ‘misery’

A plan to introduce car parking charges at a much-loved Birmingham beauty spot has been labelled as ‘shocking’ by the area’s MP who says it will cause ‘misery’ for those living nearby. Last week Birmingham City Council started its latest ‘informal’ consultation into charging parking fees for those using three city parks, Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, Sheldon Country Park, near Birmingham Airport and Lickey Hills Country Park on the Worcestershire border.

And the proposal, which was first raised back in 2018, and resurfaced in the city council’s budget plans earlier this year, has been ignited with online surveys being launched. Conservative politicians in Sutton Coldfield have continually voiced opposition to the charges, with Cllr David Pears (Sutton Trinity) saying residents were ‘dead against it’.

The proposal suggests there will be car parking charges in Sutton Park and the two other city parks between 9am and 6pm every day of the year, including Christmas Day. It asks what people will be willing to pay in charges and would they would like to see improved in the park, but does not ask if charges should not be introduced.

Read more: Anger as Birmingham parks could soon charge people to park - even on Christmas

Now longstanding Sutton Coldfield MP, Andrew Mitchell, has added his voice to those opposing the plan. And has urged those against it to register their concerns online with the Sutton Park survey, which only has a three-week window. Or by adding their name to a petition and by attending an ‘emergency meeting’ on Wednesday, November 27.

In a post on his social media channels Mr Mitchell said: “If you care about Sutton Park, you need to read this. An emergency public meeting has been called over bankrupt Birmingham City Council’s shocking plans to introduce car parking charges in Sutton Park – and a petition has been launched against the proposals.

“Arranged by Councillor David Pears, the meeting, in the Bedford Suite of Sutton Town Hall on 27th November at 7pm, has been called after the city council launched an entirely unconvincing online consultation survey into their plans, which have enraged local people.

“The survey, which only runs until December 6, asks for resident’s views on parking charges between 9am to 6pm,over 365 days a year, what improvements they would like to see, what they think would be a reasonable parking charge and if they would consider buying a parking ‘season ticket’. Crucially, it does not ask residents if they think there actually should be charges for parking in the park – clearly that decision has already been made."

Sutton's MP continued: “It's not surprising that local people are so unhappy - residents in Sutton Coldfield already pay enough in rates to expect to use open green spaces without charge. And, of course, parking charges wouldn’t just hit local people in the pocket. They would also encourage more on-street parking, causing misery for residents living near the Park.

“What’s more, the money raised by parking charges would not be ring-fenced to be spent in the park – instead it will disappear into the black hole in the city’s finances, which even the unions say is entirely a problem of Birmingham’s own making.

“The park desperately needs funding. The last time any real money was spent in Sutton Park was in 2011, when Councillor David Pears got £250K from a Conservative Controlled Birmingham Council. Since 2012, when Labour came into control, the park has been neglected.

“We are still pursuing our dream of a new Trust to run Sutton Park – made up of the city council, Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, and a national charity. This would have the ability to apply for much-needed grants and funding. However, plans to introduce car parking fees are not helpful as we work to bring people together to secure the future of the Park.

“So, if you care about the future of the park, I urge you to attend the meeting on November 27th. I also urge you to sign the local petition against the parking charges. And fill in the Birmingham City Council’s consultation survey."

Read more: Proposals for new charges at three beauty spots slammed as ‘unfair’

Cllr Pears, who chairs the Sutton Park Advisory Committee, echoed Mr Mitchell’s views and said: “An introduction of a scheme would encourage more on street parking, causing misery for residents living near the park. After all the council cannot enforce existing yellow lines around many other areas of Sutton so why should the new areas be any different.

"Birmingham City Council cannot afford to repair pot holes in roads around the town do we really expect them do a better job in Sutton Park? I put forward an option to help the park, which was supported by consultants working for the Town Council of a Trust management model.

“This would help fund the park in the future rather than rely upon Birmingham City Council and Sutton Coldfield Town Council solely in the future as a trust could apply to other funders such as Lottery. The Town Council put the options Birmingham Council but they were rejected and now we are faced with unwelcome charges.”

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While fellow Sutton town and city councillor, Ewan Mackey, added: “I’m so cross as the Labour Council has ruined our wonderful Park through years of neglect and lack of investment and now wants to impose parking charges between 9am to 6pm, over 365 days a year, to pay down their debts for their own financial failings.

“If you oppose their plans to use our park as a cash cow after years of overspending please attend the emergency public meeting on Wednesday November 27^th. Please have your say before it's too late.”

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. 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.”