Drivers clock up £80,000 in fines at Sandwell Valley Country Park

Fees were brought in at the site for the first time in November 2016, despite opposition from the public.

Motorists visiting the site in West Bromwich have to pay 40p for an hour and up to £2 for more than four hours. Those who don’t pay face fines of £50.

Sandwell Council has now revealed that motorists who flouted the rules paid a total of £80,975.90 in fines up to the end of December last year – which bosses say is helping pay to carry out further improvements to the Sandwell Valley area.

In the 10 months between February 28 and December 31 2019, a total of £20,616.95 was paid out by drivers who had failed to pay and display.

Councillor Jackie Taylor, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for sustainable transport, said: "The use of parking charges at Sandwell Valley has greatly improved the parking situation for the many thousands of people who visit each year.

“The money we have raised from charges and parking fines is used to cover the cost for the parking administration and for further improvements to the facilities in the Valley."

Councillor Taylor added: “It is clear that the great majority of visitors appreciate and respect the parking restrictions, but unfortunately some do not buy a ticket and have to pay fines.

“Regular visitors can get an annual parking permit which is available for £40 which works out at less than a pound a week.”

An annual parking permit is available for Sandwell Valley, which costs £40, which works out a less than a pound a week.

Charges were brought in at car parks at Lodge Hill Road, Swan Pool and Forge Mill Farm Visitor Centre daily between 9am to 6pm in the summer months and 9.30am to 3pm in the winter months.