Worcester Woods parking fee plans face strong opposition

Worcestershire County Council Plans Car Parking Charges

Worcestershire County Council plans to introduce car parking charges at Worcester Woods Country Park and other scenic spots in the county. Residents and visitors are opposing this move and are urging council leaders to cancel the proposal.

A petition on Change.org has gathered over 5,300 signatures. It was first launched when the council attempted to implement parking charges at the site in 2018.

Petition and Opposition

Labour councillor Richard Udall started the petition. He has also written to council leader Jo Monk, formally asking her to withdraw the proposal. Udall believes Worcester Woods could generate more revenue by hosting events like weddings, farmer’s markets, craft fairs, concerts, and car boot sales.

“I believe this would enable the county council to raise much needed funds without charging for parking,” said Cllr Udall. He has requested a scrutiny exercise to investigate any decision before implementation.

“Labour is about constructive opposition, not just attacking for the sake of it. We have alternative suggestions and will work with anybody to achieve them,” he added.

Community Concerns

A commenter on the petition stated, “I regularly enjoy walking in the woods with my two young boys and our dog. It would be a shame for that to be taken away from us.”

They continued, “Worcester Woods has always been a free option to enjoy when the boys are not at school. They enjoy the park and visiting the pond, collecting woodland treasures. It’s a hub for the local community.”

Campaign group Bike Worcester mentioned that free car parking encourages car use. They noted that many lower-income households do not have access to a car.

Council’s Financial Situation

Council finance chief Rob Wharton stated, “The council’s budget, along with most other county councils, continues to face significant financial pressures.”

He explained, “The council’s budget is essentially fixed in cash terms and its ability to raise income is limited. This means every opportunity for savings and income must be explored.”

Wharton added, “As part of the cabinet paper, a wide range of proposed savings options were included for cabinet to recommend going forward to full council to approve on January 15.”

If approved, these plans will be part of the draft 2026/27 budget to be agreed at full council at the end of February. Some proposals will require further detailed work before any action takes place.