Parking charges go up again at Baggeridge Country Park

Visitors to the spot in Sedgley will have to pay an extra 10p an hour to park – the second such rise in the space of two years.

It will now cost visitors £2.80 to park all day, a rise which will come into effect on May 9.

The prices rose from £1.70 and £2.70 in 2015, and £1.60 and £2.60 in 2014.

There were mixed reactions from visitors.

Naomi Waters, aged 40, from Wolverhampton, said: "I don't mind the increase. We visit the park quite a lot.

"Baggeridge Country Park is a lovely facility. There is an adventure playground, a small train and walking trails."

A park visitor who wished not to be named said: "I think the rise is quite steep." Another added: "I think a lot of people would be against it." Councillor Mary Bond, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services said: "Baggeridge Country Park receives around 150,000 visitors per year.

The park needs to be sustainable so it can remain for future generations, meaning rising maintenance costs have to be offset by a small increase in parking charges.

"At £1.80 per hour and £2.80 per day, the parking still represents excellent value for money.

"Added to this, regular users of the park can apply for an annual parking permit, which at £42 is less than 10p per day with discounts available to South Staffordshire residents.

"We hope people will still come to the park and enjoy everything it has to offer."

Elsewhere in the Black Country parking charges have been brought in at other beauty spots.

Visitors to Sandwell Valley Country Park now have to pay to park after council bosses agreed to bring in the controversial fees.

There have been objections to the plan from the public and despite more than 120 people signing a petition opposing the scheme, the council has not yielded to the pressure.

Parking has always been free at the country park but visitors will find themselves paying from 40p for an hour to £2 if they stay for more than four hours.