Sandwell Valley drivers hit by parking fines totalling £50,000
Drivers have clocked up nearly £50,000 in fines at Sandwell Valley Country Park since parking charges started two years ago.
The controversial fees were brought in for the first time at the site despite fierce opposition from the public.
Drivers visiting the site in West Bromwich have to pay 40p for an hour and up to £2 for more than four hours. Those who don’t pay face fines of £50.
Sandwell Council has now revealed that motorists who flouted the rules have paid a total of £46,136.83 in fines up to the end of October this year, which bosses say is helping pay to maintain the site in the face of cuts to the budget.
Councillor David Hosell, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for highways and environment said: “The introduction of the charges has greatly improved the parking situation in Sandwell Valley area.
“The money raised from charges and for parking fines is playing a big part in our further efforts to improve the Valley facilities which was the aim of bringing in the small parking charges. In these days of Government cuts we need all the money we can to continue to improve the Valley area.”
Figures show that Sandwell Council also brought in £151,472.25 from parking fees at other sites over the same period.
An annual parking permit is available for Sandwell Valley, which costs £40, which works out a less than a pound a week. Charges were brought in at car parksat Lodge Hill Road, Swan Pool and Forge Mill Farm Visitor Centre daily between 9am to 6pm.
