Free parking could be scrapped for popular Coventry park
War Memorial Park currently allows free parking for up to three hours.
Free parking at a popular Coventry park is set to be scrapped completely under council budget cuts, despite an outcry the last time officials tried to do it.
Details of new charges that could be brought in at War Memorial Park are revealed in papers for a meeting next week (12 December.)
The move would save £150,000 a year and is part of a wider bid by the council to save £11 million across its services.
But the option met with a backlash when it was first put to the public four years ago with people saying they would refuse to pay, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported at the time.
People also said it would be better to crack down on “improper” use of the free parking by only having it available for three hours than getting rid of it altogether.
The council decided to keep free parking at the park for three hours, saving £120,000 per year rather than the £300,000 if it was scrapped altogether.
But a plan to charge drivers who visit the park is now back on the table – with only 10 minute drop-offs set to be allowed.
Parking fees beyond three hours would also change to be in line with charges at Coombe Abbey Park.
The change is one of the “tough options” the council is considering so it can balance the books in the future, amid soaring demand for services and inflation.
None are set in stone yet but if they go ahead they will be signed off at a meeting next February (2024.)
People in Coventry would be able to give their views on the move in a consultation that would open later this year.
How much will it cost to park?
The planned fees for day tickets are:
Up to 1 hour: £1.00
1-2 hours: £3.00
2-4 hours: £3.50
Day Ticket: £5.00
Minibus tariff: £13.00
Coach tariff: £30.00
Motorcycles – No charge
The park is visited by some 400,000 people per year, hosts a Saturday park run and has many gardens and attractions popular with city residents.
People on fixed or low incomes would be “disproportionately” hit by the extra fees – so disabled visitors with a Blue Badge and people eligible for a ‘Go CV Plus’ card would get discounts, the report adds.