Local Residents say 'NO' to Parking Plan for Woodgate Valley

A petition will be presented to Birmingham City Council later today

Image Credit: Birmingham Conservatives

Plans from the Labour-run Birmingham City Council to introduce car parking charges at several flagship parks across the city, including Woodgate Valley Country Park, have been roundly rejected by local residents.

A petition organised by Bartley Green’s Conservative Councillors Bruce Lines and Kerry Brewer will be presented to Birmingham City Council meeting today (Tuesday 5th December) with over 200 signatures from local residents opposed to parking charges at Woodgate Valley Country Park.

Cllr Brewer told Counter Cut, “we are delighted that so many local residents from Bartley Green, Quinton and across the city have supporting our petition opposing any form of parking charges at Woodgate Valley. Thank you to everyone who signed the petition.”

We also spoke to Cllr Bruce Lines who said, “plans to introduce parking charges at Woodgate Valley during a cost of living crisis will restrict access to our beautiful green spaces for many local residents at a time when they need support, not more pressure on their pay cheques. Local businesses including the Riding School and the Urban Farm would suffer hugely if the plans went ahead”.

Cllr Lines had previously taken the matter to the Council’s Scrutiny Committee in an attempt to return the plan to the Council’s Cabinet for further consideration, but the Labour-dominated committee rejected the ‘call-in’ request (as we reported here).

The Council’s public consultation on the plans ends tomorrow (Wednesday 7th December), but concerns have been raised that the consultation does not allow respondents to formally object, only to leave comments.

The Conservative Councillor’s petition remains open and can be signed here: https://www.edgbastonconservatives.org.uk/campaigns/oppose-parking-charges-woodgate-valley-country-park