West Bromwich parking charges to be cut in half
Parking charges are set to be slashed in half in West Bromwich town centre - but an hourly tariff of 40p will be introduced on Oldbury's main car park for the first time under new plans.
Sandwell Council wants to standardise off-street parking charges across the borough at 40p an hour.
The move means the hourly rate in West Bromwich will drop from 80p an hour to 40p, while the car park behind the Council House in Oldbury will see a 40p charge brought in.
Season tickets costing £6 a week will also be introduced for parking across the borough.
The plans are set to be signed off by the authority's cabinet next month before going out to consultation.
Bosses say the changes are part of a 'fair deal' for drivers across Sandwell.
Darren Cooper, leader of Sandwell Council, said: "It's a simple fact that if we had no parking charges on car parks it would cost us £1 million a year to pay for our enforcement team.
"We make no money from charging drivers to park.
"At the moment we are subsidising it a little bit.
"The changes will allow us to balance the books. In no way am I anti-driver."
Long stay parking – over four hours – would be set at £4 a day borough-wide.
The current rate for long stay parking in West Bromwich town centre is £4 per day, while other long stay car parks are currently £2 per day.
The proposals would also see parking charges introduced at the public car park in West Bromwich Street, Oldbury, which is mainly used by council staff and visitors to Sandwell Council House.
Cabinet members are set to approve a consultation on the proposals.
The new charges would come into effect as soon as possible in the new financial year.
Shoppers have also been reminded they can park for free in Sandwell Council car parks on the two weekends before Christmas.
All new charges will be frozen for two years under the plans.
The public consultation over the changes is set to go out in mid-December.
Last month the council announced controversial plans to introduce charges at Sandwell Valley. Parking has always been free at the West Bromwich attraction but visitors could find themselves paying £2 if they want to stay for more than four hours.
A decision on the proposals, which were met with outrage from large sections of the public, is expected this month.
