Sutton Park is one of Birmingham’s greatest treasures. It is part of our city’s heritage, part of the identity of Sutton Coldfield, and part of the shared inheritance of people right across Birmingham.
But now both Birmingham Labour and Sutton Coldfield Reform are singing from the same hymn sheet: charge people to use it.
Labour-run Birmingham City Council has pushed plans for parking charges at Sutton Park. The BBC has reported on the council’s proposals to introduce charges at Sutton Park, along with other parks.
Reform try to sound different, but when you look at what they are actually saying, the end result is the same. On their own website, Sutton Coldfield Reform say Sutton Park should be free for Sutton residents, but that “out of towners could and should pay.” They go on to suggest a charge “through parking fees, voluntary donations, or an entry fee for non-residents.”
So let’s be clear about what that means.
Labour want fees. Reform want fees too.
Labour want to bill people at the car park. Reform want to bill people at the gate.
Labour and Reform may argue over the method, but both are comfortable with the principle that Brummies should be charged to enjoy Sutton Park.
That is wrong.
Sutton Park is not a private attraction. It is not a theme park. It is not a cash machine for struggling politicians with bad ideas. It is a public park. Once you accept the principle that people can be charged to access or use it, you open the door to more charges, more restrictions, and more barriers.
And that is why this matters far beyond Sutton Coldfield.
Because if Labour and Reform can get away with charging for Sutton Park today, what will they try to charge for elsewhere tomorrow? Another park? Another beauty spot? Another public space people have always been able to enjoy freely?
This is how it starts: one “modest” fee, one “local” exception, one “reasonable” charge. Then the precedent is set, and the principle of free public access starts to disappear.
We do not believe Birmingham residents should be charged to enjoy Birmingham’s public spaces.
We oppose Labour’s parking charges.
We oppose Reform’s resident-border mentality.
And we oppose any attempt to turn Sutton Park into a pay-to-enter or pay-to-use asset for people from elsewhere in our city.
Sutton Park should remain open, accessible and free.
Not just for some.
Not just for those with the right postcode.
But for everyone.
Sign our petition below and help us send a clear message:
No Labour parking charges. No Reform entrance fees. No charging Brummies to use Sutton Park.