“A Mean and Nasty Act of Political Vandalism”

Come and attend the Worcestershire County Council’s overview and scrutiny performance board meeting: 10am at County Hall on Monday, January 14.

St John’s County Councillor Richard Udall has condemned the proposal to introduce car parking charges at the Worcester Woods Country Park as a “Mean and nasty act of political vandalism”.

The proposals which were quietly announced yesterday were decided on 21^st November. Only one Councillor working in isolation, Lucy Hodgson, made the decision.  Labour believes the decision should have been  made in public by the Cabinet and only after scrutiny and full consultation.

Richard said “The proposals will have a damming impact on the Orchard Cafe and would restrict access to the Worcester Woods to those who can afford it, it is a poor suggestion.  The consequences would be very damaging to the future viability of the Country Park”.  The very successful Park Run which is held on Sundays could also be at risk.

“I understand the need to raise revenue, I also understand the car park is abused by people visiting the hospital, but to implement such a charge without consultation and without seeking the views of users is cruel and upsetting”.

“Labour suggests free parking for the first two hours, which would allow residents to use the cafe and have a walk in the woods without charge; we also suggest free parking for disabled residents and on Sundays.  Two hours free parking would stop the abuse and open the car park up to more legitimate users”.

Labour also suggests using the land for more commercial activities.  “We have a great site with many opportunities to gain revenue, we could hold farmers markets, dog training events, camping sites and many other events.  We could install football and rugby posts and rent the space for sport, a wide range of revenue options exists that have simply not been examined or explored”.

“We have a duty to promote public health, to encourage walking, running and physical activity, the site attracts people from a wide area, we should not be making it difficult for people in hard times to access the countryside centre, we should be opening it up not closing it down with high car parking charges, the proposal is short sighted, badly thought out and without justification, we will do everything within our power to halt and change their mean and nasty plans”.

For more information, please contact Richard Udall

01905 428191 or 07710780845

Read the latest Worcester News article here. 

Proposed charges: