The Friends of Coventry’s War Memorial Park have objected to the ‘counterproductive’ plans to increase car parking charges at the city’s premier green space.
At present people staying for less than three hours don’t have to pay to park. But new proposals included in the Council’s draft 2024/25 budget will mean that charges might apply for all stays.
The Council is desperate to raise money from Coventry residents to stay solvent in the environment of Government grant cuts.
The Friends of the War Memorial Park claim that under the Council’s new proposals, every car user will have to pay, from the moment they enter the park, as opposed to giving three hours free as it is now.
Chair of the Friends and CovSoc Vice Chair, Trevor Cornfoot, said: “The Memorial Park is Coventry’s principal park.
“It is full of sports and leisure facilities that are intended to attract visitors for short periods.
“Charging for the first hour or two totally flies in the face of using the City’s principal green space for healthy activities and exercise.
“And when the Council has worked so hard to create new commercial attractions in the Memorial Park, such as the new cafes, the mini-golf and the dotto train it is counterproductive to put people off using them.
“The Council is trying to have its cake and eat it.”
“The Friends proposed free parking for the first two hours of people’s visit.”
Council chiefs claim they face a £12million funding gap for this financial year, which is set to rise to around £30million for 2024/25.
A Coventry City Council spokesperson said the authority had a duty to set a balanced budget every year.
“This financial year we are forecasting a significant shortfall. This has been brought on by rising demand, underfunding and the tough economic climate.
“As a result of these pressures, we have put forward several cost-cutting proposals across city council services.
“Whilst no savings are proposed in our current parks provision there is a proposal to increase the existing charges for parking at the War Memorial Park.
“We want to hear from all our residents about these proposals, which is why we’re running a consultation.”
The council’s budget consultation runs until 7th February 2024, People can visit letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/budget24-25 to have their say.
Coventry is a Marmot City where the Council is committed to improving public health by creating low-cost health improvement opportunities for all members of the public. The strategy recognises that there is already an inequality in the provision of health facilities.
Earlsdon residents are concerned that introducing parking charges at the park will lead to an increase in on-street parking in the Earlsdon Liveable Neighbourhood and Conservation Area
There is a petition against this proposal here. It currently has over 3250 signatures.