Why parking charges are going ahead at Lickey Hills
BBCParking charges are set to be introduced at Lickey Hills Country Park despite Birmingham City Council putting similar proposals for two other parks on hold.
The authority originally planned to introduce charges at Lickey Hills, which sits on the border with Worcestershire, as well as Sutton Park and Sheldon Country Park as it looked for ways to generate income amid ongoing financial pressures.
However, officials have since decided to review proposals affecting Sutton Park and Sheldon Country Park after reconsidering the "individual circumstances" of each site.
The BBC has approached Birmingham City Council for comment.
Why were parking charges proposed?
Birmingham City Council first unveiled plans to introduce parking charges at three of its parks as it sought new sources of income amid worsening financial pressures.
The authority issued a Section 114 notice in September 2023, effectively declaring itself bankrupt, and has since implemented a series of measures aimed at improving its finances.
BBC political reporter Megan Jones said the council had faced an equal pay liability estimated at £760m as well as an £80m overspend on an IT project.
Government commissioners later ordered the authority to identify £300m of savings over two years.
Although council leaders have since said Birmingham is "no longer bankrupt", the authority remains under government oversight and continues to face financial challenges.
What's the hold up?
The council said it had reconsidered the "individual circumstances" of each park before deciding how to proceed.
At Sutton Park, councillors have been advised to delay charging plans while the site's future management arrangements are reviewed.
A council report said Birmingham City Council and Sutton Town Council would commission an external review into whether an independent trust or another partnership model could manage the park in future.
The authority has also decided to review proposals affecting Sheldon Country Park.
'It's pretty disgusting'
While plans affecting Sutton Park and Sheldon Country Park are undergoing further consideration, Birmingham City Council has confirmed proposals for Lickey Hills will continue to move forward.
That means Lickey Hills is now the only one of the three parks where parking charges are expected to be introduced in the near future.
Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas said residents were "paying the price for Birmingham City Council's financial mismanagement".
He argued the decision came at a time when access to green spaces and healthy lifestyles were more important than ever.
Visitors have also raised concerns about the impact on families and people already facing financial pressures.
Rachel Foley, from Rubery, described the proposal as "pretty disgusting".
She added the charges would "hit the pockets" of families using the park and suggested some visitors could choose alternative sites with free parking.
Kim Wildborne, from Northfield, who has a disabled child, said she was concerned access to nature could become dependent on whether people could afford to pay.
"It's a bit of a shame that access to nature and the area would be limited by whether people can pay to park or not," she said.
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.