CONTROVERSIAL car parking charges at a popular city park look set to be scrapped after the council removed a £100,000 income target as part of next year’s budget.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, leader of Worcestershire County Council, said there “would be no need” to introduce parking charges at Worcester Woods Country Park after removing a £100,000 income target from countryside services.

This followed a public outcry against the council's initial decision to introduce the parking charges this summer, which were expected to be £1 for one hour, £2 for two, £3 for four, £7 for over four and £60 for an annual pass.

Labour county councillor Richard Udall launched a petition to oppose the charges which more than 4,000 people signed.

Cllr Richard Udall said the council's U-turn was a victory for people power.

“It is evidence that when we get the message right and the truth is overwhelming, we can win any argument," he said.

“I am prepared to work with the administration to find ways to raise revenue without having to pay car parking charges at Worcester Woods.

“I thank all those who supported my campaign, who signed the petition, wrote letters and protested to their councillors. It worked.”

At today's press briefing, Cllr Geraghty also announced that £200,000 would be removed from a proposed cut in the council’s library budget and he said library closures would now be less likely.

The council, which is currently finalising its consultation into the county’s library service, said £800,000 would now have to be saved from the budget rather than £1 million.

Controversial cuts to the county’s archive and archaeological budget have also been reduced.

Plans to cut it by £405,000 – more than half of its current budget – have been scrapped but a £250,000 saving would still have to be made.

Cllr Geraghty said the changes have been made because the council listened to the public.

The draft budget, to be discussed by the council’s cabinet next week (January 31), also included money for future projects including £4million to refurbish the city’s Sabrina Bridge and build a bridge in the north of the city from Gheluvelt Park to the old Kepax landfill site.

The council would also put aside £2.5million for improvements to Worcester city centre and Evesham town centre.

A ‘member’s highways fund’ which councillors could use to fund improvements such as roadworks, drainage and pedestrian crossings in their wards, was also revealed.

A further £5million would also be put aside to improve the county’s railway stations.