MP accuses council of treating area West Midlands beauty spot like ‘cash cow’ amid planned parking charges

Bromsgrove’s MP has accused Brum’s political leaders of treating his area as a “cash cow” amid plans to introduce parking charges at a beauty spot.

After declaring itself effectively bankrupt in 2023, Birmingham Council proposed introducing new parking charges at Sutton Park, Sheldon Country Park and Lickey Hills Country Park.

These plans – put forward by the Labour leadership at the time – proved particularly controversial and attracted a wave of backlash from residents and opposition councillors.

But the authority has recently revealed that it has ‘changed its position’ since the original parking proposals were developed.

It said that having considered the “individual circumstances” of each park, Lickey Hills is now the only site where new parking charges are being “progressed” during 2026/27.

Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas has today slammed the council – now run by a coalition including the Lib Dems and Greens – for pushing ahead with the Lickey Hills charges near the Birmingham border.

He also used the opportunity to criticise government plans to create two new unitary councils in Worcestershire.

“I’ve long said that Birmingham views Bromsgrove and the Villages as a huge cash cow,” the Conservative MP told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“I’m not surprised they’ve singled out Lickey Hills Country Park for car parking charges to the fill the hole in bankrupt Birmingham’s coffers.

“With the return of local government reorganisation following another Government U-turn, this is a sign of things to come.

“The threat of Bromsgrove and the Villages being consumed by Birmingham is real and I will fight it every step of the way.”

The BBC reports that a letter from the government, which supports the north-south Worcestershire split, stated that both areas would have a “greater voice” when it comes to future devolution.

It also argued that that the local government reorganisation would “give residents greater influence over decisions and services”.

When it comes to the parking charges, the city council in Brum previously said that “introducing charges at [the three parks] will bring Birmingham in line with similar places around the UK to offset the cost of maintaining this destination site.”

“Income from parking will be reinvested directly into maintaining and improving the park’s facilities, […] ensuring it remains a safe, attractive and welcoming place for all visitors,” it added.

However, it recently confirmed that the proposed charges for Sheldon Country Park are being reviewed.

Cabinet members at the council have also been recommended to delay the implementation of charges at Sutton Park whilst the “future operational model” for the park is under review.