COVENTRIANS have raised concerns about mooted car parking increases at War Memorial Park and have petitioned Coventry City Council to ensure it remains free for the first three hours.
A proposed price hike has been included as part of the council’s draft 2024/25 budget – one of many ideas to assist the authority in its current cash crisis.
But residents have hit out at the idea with the petition, containing 2,400 signatures, calling for the first three hours of parking to remain free.
Campaigners said a lot of people travel to the park to enjoy playing games, go running and dog walking and to visit the cafe.
“It is also, as the name indicates, a lasting memorial to Coventry servicemen who were killed in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
“Introducing parking charges for the first three hours will decrease the number of visitors to the park and encourage people to park their vehicles on neighbouring roads adding to traffic congestion.”
Other suggestions to help the council save cash have included switching off some streetlights overnight and introducing charges for garden waste collection.
Council chiefs claim they face a £12million funding gap for this financial year, which is set to rise to around £30million for 2024/25.
A Coventry City Council spokesperson said the authority had a duty to set a balanced budget every year.
“This financial year we are forecasting a significant shortfall. This has been brought on by rising demand, underfunding and the tough economic climate.
“As a result of these pressures, we have put forward several cost-cutting proposals across city council services.
“Whilst no savings are proposed in our current parks provision there is a proposal to increase the existing charges for parking at the War Memorial Park.
“We want to hear from all our residents about these proposals, which is why we’re running a consultation.”
The council’s budget consultation runs until February 7.
People can visit letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/budget24-25 to have their say and edemocracy.coventry.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx? to sign the petition.
