A NEW parking fee scheme has angered visitors to a popular city park.

From next summer, charges will be introduced if you wish to park at Worcester Woods Country Park, after council cabinet member Lucy Hodgson signed off the plan. The scheme aims to raise £140,000 a year for the maintenance of local green spaces.

However, the charge has prompted strong criticism with more than 4,000 signing a petition set up by Cllr Richard Udall.

Cllr Udall said: “We know they have made a decision, but I ask the Conservatives to put the decision on hold and to refer the issue to Scrutiny, so a task and finish group of councillors can be established to investigate and consider their proposals.

“A number of issues now need further investigation, the impact on the park run, the scouts, dog walkers, health promotion and the impact upon residents living adjacent to the site in Spetchley Road and in Warndon Villages.

"We need to examine the costs involved, how much money is likely to be raised and how much pay and display machines will cost. We need to examine alternatives, to see if funding could be raised differently.

“If Lucy Hodgson is confident about her proposals, she should have nothing to fear from scrutiny.”

There has been a flurry of disapproval from Worcester News readers who commented in droves on our facebook page.

Aimee May said: “So disappointed with this decision. I suppose now it will have to be our local park where we have to dodge broken glass and dirty needles.”

Hayley Louise Newell said: “Out of principle I won’t spend a penny to park here. I shall, instead, park elsewhere and walk across. You won’t be raising any part of that 140k a year from me.”

Jan Perrins said: “So 4,000 of us that signed the petition because we enjoyed taking our children, grandchildren or dogs into this beauty spot were not listened to. I’m pretty sure the number of visitors will go down and then everyone will be a loser.”

Mike Martin said: “Disgraceful and a show of utter contempt for the people they are meant to represent. In it for themselves and nobody else. To put a fee on this car park shows they are nothing but parasites feeding off the hardworking people.”