Car parking charges at Baggeridge Country Park have been increased by 78 per cent, sparking fury among walkers and fears for the future of a tea shop.

Users today threatened to boycott the beauty spot, near Sedgley.

South Staffordshire Council has put up the cost of a day’s parking from £1.40 to £2.50. An hour’s parking rate has been introduced, costing £1.50. But, at nearby Himley Hall parking remains at 80p for two hours or £1.10 all day.

Winifred Bickley, aged 71, of Whitehall Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, of the 30-strong Baggeridge Walkers, said: “We are furious.”

Dave Daly, aged 41, and his wife, Julie, 42, who run the Baggeridge Tea Shop, are worried about the future of their business, which employs four people.

Mr Daly said: “I understand the charge needs to go up – but this is a drastic price increase.There will be an effect on our trade.”

Brian Dunn, aged 74, of Denleigh Road, High Acres, Kingswinford, who walks several times a week, said the rise was “disgusting”.

Sandra Browning, 61, of Buttons Farm Road, Penn, said: “We might move now to Wombourne or Himley for our walks.”

Gillian Jones, aged 72, of Peterdale Drive, Penn, added: “We like the walk here and come into the tea shop by the car park for a cup of coffee afterwards, where they always provide us with a plate of biscuits. But we won’t be able to afford this any more.”

South Staffordshire Council bosses today defended their decision to increase parking charges at the beauty spot and blamed the hikes on “tough times”.

Tony Ward, leisure boss at the council, said: “We get more than 145,000 visitors a year to the park but, financially, times are tough.

“But we still think it represents good value for what is an excellent facility. Visitors also have the option to buy a six-month or 12-month pass up front. If they buy a six-month pass it only works out at about 70p a week.”

Parking machines are due to be installed at the park in the coming weeks.

A notice at the Baggeridge car park reads: “In the current economic climate we have to increase the money we take in order to maintain the park. Whilst this may seem a large increase to some, it is still cheaper than parking in Wolverhampton (and a much nicer place to be).

“The seasonal parking passes will remain at the same price for the time being.”

By Louise Jew