Public outrage over Walsall parking charges strongest council has ever faced

The local authority has made a U-turn on plans to introduce fees from April in Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall. It had hoped to rake in £100,000 next year.

The announcement came after the town hall revealed it needs to make £29 million in savings next year and £86m over four years due to cutbacks in Whitehall funding.

But today's change of heart comes after thousands of residents took part in a consultation exercise.

Walsall Council leader Sean Coughlan: "The reaction to this consultation has been the best we have ever had.

"People recognise these cuts are forced on us by central Government and it is clear residents care about council services. What the consultation has shown is that people are frightened by the impact of these on those services, their homes and their communities.

"In the past, town centres have been left to decline and shops and small businesses have struggled to cope. We decided the parking charges, though modest, would have a negative impact on those communities which we, as a Labour council, are determined to protect and we will also ensure that district centres are a priority in our future regeneration plans that we will bring forward in the coming months."

Campaign group Willenhall Ay We organised a protest and collected a 2,050-name petition against the move.

Liberal Democrats leader Ian Shires said: "It doesn't surprise me in the least that this decision has been taken. The same thing happened in Wolverhampton last year when the ruling Labour group there announced a lot of cuts and then the 'cape crusader' came and there was a change of heart.

"It makes them look good if they don't go ahead with parking fees which is fine as that is what the majority of people want to see.

"When we were in coalition with the Conservatives we fought for two years to keep car parking charges in district centres off the agenda. We were stunned to discover that the Labour group was even thinking of introducing it. It should never have been suggested in the first place.

"Charges would kill off what trade is left in those towns. It would be absolute political suicide and generate a public backlash."

The authority is spending almost £20,000 asking householders their views.

Under the controversial budget proposals, 487 jobs could be lost and children centres and libraries close. Council bosses have defended the consultation as being a key part of the decision making.