PLANS for parking charges at a city park have been suspended after a councillor used a rare power to halt the process.

County councillor Richard Udall has asked for an investigation into a council cabinet member's decision to implement charges at Worcester Woods Country Park.

The request, known as a 'call-in', means that the county council's scrutiny board could launch a probe into the proposals.

However, the cabinet member behind the plans said the council needs to make cuts.

Cllr Udall, whose petition against the changes has gathered over 4,600 signatures, said: "It stops them doing anything new in preparation for next summer, such as speaking to car parking machine providers.

"I do not believe the correct procedures were followed by the council when it decided to implement the charges, no consultation took place and no consideration of alternative suggestions were made."

Cllr Udall thinks that the scrutiny board will decide whether to grant his request for an investigation in January.

He said that at the very least he has delayed the implementation of the charges by a month.

The councillor added that the plans could potentially be held up for months if the scrutiny committee pushes ahead with a probe.

However, county councillor Lucy Hodgson, the cabinet member behind the plans, said: “Worcestershire County Council is very proud of its estate of country parks, nature reserves and picnic places. In line with many other local authorities, the authority has to make savings.

"Most sites with a similar range of facilities around the county currently either charge for entry or charge for car parking. The charges being proposed for Worcester Woods are similar to other visitor attractions and represent typical visitor lengths of stay.

“We have been in positive discussion with the organisers of Parkrun and other user groups such as the Scouts.”

Cllr Hodgson said the council will raise £140,000 a year for the maintenance of its local green spaces, under the plans.