Wolves fans will now have to pay to use car park

The park and ride car park on Showell Road is full to the brim on matchdays when Wolves supporters take advantage of free parking. There are many other times, including on weekdays, when it is hardly used.

It could leave fans who drive into the city and walk from Showell Road searching for somewhere else to park on matchdays. The spot, which was the site of a nightclub in years gone by, has proved popular over the last decade as it is one of the closest places to Molineux where supporters can park for free.

But signs have now gone up warning drivers will have to pay from March 1, 24 hours before Wolves host Cardiff City. There will be no machines, with payment only accepted via a mobile app.

The decision appears to have been made with Wolves fans in mind, after the council said there would be four hours of free parking on non-matchdays.

It remains to be seen whether the car park will be as popular or fans will look for an alternative.

The move by the city council has been criticised by opposition members, who say more free parking should be available.

Conservative councillor Simon Bennett said: “This is yet another example of Labour not acting in the best interests of our city. Instead of listening to our calls for free parking to be introduced in Wolverhampton, Labour councillors are choosing to bring in more parking charges.

“Wolves fans, like myself, will be severely penalised here. Why isn’t the council using the amazing success of our football team to encourage more people into the city? Conservative councillors remain committed to bringing in free parking if we take control of the council in May.”

Penn Conservative councillor Paul Singh said: “It’s disappointing to see Wolverhampton Council introducing more car park charges, when other local authorities are actually trying to boost their local economies by extending free parking."

Councillor Steve Evans, environment boss at Wolverhampton Council said: “There is a cost to managing and maintaining car parks and it is reasonable to apply parking charges where there is such a high demand.

“Therefore, park and ride car park at Showell Road will introduce parking charges from March 1.

“The first four hours parking on this site will remain free of charge, excluding matchdays.

“The council only manages around 25 per cent of car parking spaces in Wolverhampton. We are competitive to the privately-run car parks and of course have similar running costs including staff, car park wardens and maintenance costs.

“We regularly review our fees to provide the right offer, our data shows that where spaces are free, these spaces are taken up by workers parking there all day and not by shoppers or visitors to our city which isn't good for traders.

“We are working to ensure we get our parking offer right with the appropriate level and structure of charges to match demand and support the local economy.”