Sandwell Valley parking fees fury

People will be charged 40p for an hour rising to £2 if they stay for more than four hours.

During winter months charges will be in place between 9am and 3pm after concerns that visitors would be forced to carry cash with them to the park on dark nights.

At other times of the year, charges will be imposed from 9am to 6pm.

Karl Hawkes, aged 43, who is from Great Barr and part of the Sandwell Valley campaign group, told a meeting on Thursday: "I have come to the conclusion that Sandwell Council really seem to have no idea how the charges will affect real people.

"It will destroy the very reason people visit the park. The park is a stress-free place to go, where people look to escape for a couple of hours. It is now going to be ruined by everyone worrying about going over their parking time. The whole consultation process has seemed like an exercise in democracy, where the council haven't listened to a word we have said.

"We are being told time and again the money being made by the charges will be going back into the park, but how can this even be proven."

Councillor Maria Crompton said the charges were 'necessary' to keep the maintenance of the park in order.

She said: "Realistically, it's the only option we've been left with. It's not a decision we wanted to make, but it's a decision we really have had to make when you consider the financial cuts that are being made to Sandwell Council. We do not want to let the park fall into disarray so by introducing these charges, we can continue to pump money back into maintaining it, for the good of the community."

Resident Mark Barrett, of Dagger Lane, said: "We just haven't been listened to at all. No one who lives close the park has been properly consulted and I find the whole process quite disgraceful."

Councillor Crompton has made a request that the cabinet ratify the charges at a meeting next month.