Free parking under threat at Tettenhall Pool car park in Stockwell Road

The cash-strapped city council is considering introducing charges at the Tettenhall Pool car park in Stockwell Road, says ward councillor Jonathan Yardley.

He called the plans to make the 68-space long-stay car park in Tettenhall pay and display 'detrimental to the local economy.'

Councillor Yardley said he spotted council officers taking pictures of vehicles and when questioned, they explained they were carrying out a survey with the view to bring in costs for the car park.

Councillor Yardley added: "I heard about this from local residents much to my horror. This will no doubt drive people away and be detrimental to the local economy.

"The current system works well and is useful to bringing people into the area.

"It seems the only way this council can think to make money is by getting rid of free parking and raising charges or by bus lane fees."

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: “We know that in some outlying car parks across the city people are taking advantage of the fact they are free and leave their vehicles there all day which limits the opportunities for people who require short stay parking to visit the local shops or facilities like Tettenhall Pool.

"The people of Wolverhampton were asked during our budget consultation last year whether they would be in favour of introducing enforced waiting times in district and outlying car parks to prevent this problem. The majority of people said they would be in favour of limited waiting.

"We are currently carrying out a review looking at the particular circumstances of each car park so that we can make decisions based on evidence.

"There is unlikely to be a one size fits all solution to this. No decisions on any charges have been taken and any specific proposals that come forward from this review would need Cabinet approval prior to being implemented.”

It follows parking restrictions being drafted in on a series of roads in Tettenhall earlier this month.

In Tettenhall, waiting is prohibited in parts of Redhouse Road, Regis Road, Wrekin Lane, Woodthorne Road South and The Meadway between 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

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