Car parking charges at Sheldon Country Park are a mistake

In today’s Cabinet meeting, there was a debate around the proposal to introduce charges in three of Birmingham’s parks: Lickey Hills Country Park, Sheldon Country Park and Sutton Park.

The Council’s own report admits that of the 182 people who responded to the survey about Sheldon Country Park, 65.9% felt that access to the park should remain free. 

The cost to implement the infrastructure needed in this park is £116,849.80, with a further annual operating cost of £18,145.00. The charges at Sheldon Country Park would be £0.75p for 3 hours of £3.50 all day, with a free 30-minute grace period.

Cllr Harmer challenged this in the meeting:

Based on the optimistic figures in the report, we are looking at payback in roughly 4 years. We agree with the 30-minute grace period and free parking for volunteers but if you add that Sheldon already has an issue with displacement in certain roads, this is likely to make this worse. 

I don't think you will get the income. It doesn't take much more drop off to make no money at all so please look at Sheldon again.”

Cllr Tilsley added: 

“This will cause displacement parking in the surrounding roads. There are already complaints from residents about anti-social parking, with drives being blocked, verges being crossed. 

“The police do not have sufficient staff to patrol the area, particularly at the weekend. It is a short sighted measure that will never recover the capital costs or cost of patrols at the Park.”

Birmingham Labour’s cabinet approved the decision today, and charges are expected to begin in October 2025 in Sheldon, and November 2025 in the other parks.  Councillors Paul Tilsley and Colin Green have lodged a call in.