Plans to remove free parking at the War Memorial Park have been slammed as unfair, with critics warning it will hit vulnerable people the hardest. A resident-led petition is now gathering pace and Coventry Conservatives have also raised doubts about the scheme.
The War Memorial Park is Coventry's premier park and attracts around 400,000 visitors every year. So, it’s likely any changes to parking charges will affect people from across the city. Although car parking charges were introduced in 2021, free parking was retained for the first three hours. Under these proposals, charges would be standardised with those at Coombe Abbey as follows:
- Up to 1 hour - £1
- 1-2 hours - £3
- 2-4 hours £3.50
- Day ticket £5
The proposal has been put forward as part of the annual budget setting process at the Council and is expected to raise £150,000. A similar idea was rejected earlier this year when officials warned Labour councillors that the charges could hit ethnic minorities and families with young children. Older people and disabled people would also be among the hardest hit. The ‘Equality Impact Assessment’ warned that ‘Residents and visitors on fixed or low incomes would be disproportionately impacted by additional costs.
Commenting on the proposal, petition organiser Zaid Rehman said: "Increasing parking charges at War Memorial Park will hit the most vulnerable the hardest during a cost-of-living crisis. They risk turning a space for fresh air and friendship into a no-go zone for many. Do they really want to price us out of our own park?”
The petition has received the backing of Cllr Julia Lepoidevin, who is the Shadow Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities and will present the petition to Councillors. Commenting on the proposals she said: “I recognise the Council must the balance the books, but I’m not convinced this will succeed in generating this level of cash. It could just lead to visitors parking in nearby streets, or not coming at all. Labour councillors have been warned about these devastating consequences before, and I would call on them to think again.”
The idea is currently out for consultation along with other ideas to balance the books before final plans are published in February. An alternative budget will be put forward by Cllr Peter Male, Conservative Deputy Leader and Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance.
Please visit the Council's website to add your name to the petition: https://tinyurl.com/mu5ps3pc
