FEARS have been expressed about controversial measures to leave the Lickey Hills car parks open overnight as a cost-saving measure.
Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) four-week trial which ran throughout August saw car parks left open at city parks including Lickey Hills’ Warren Lane and Monument Lane.
Results will be studied and, if found to have had little effect, the car parks may no longer be locked to save funds on staffing and maintenance, upkeep or replacement of locked gates.
A Lickey Hills Society spokesperson said the group was very concerned about the proposal and contacted BCC officials and local councillors to express its views.
“Perhaps the main concern is a possible increase in anti-social behaviour – more litter, use of disposable barbecues (with an increase risk of fires), groups gathering with the potential use of alcohol and drugs and so on.
“The cost of clearing up from such activities could far outweigh the costs involved in locking the car parks.
“We await the report of the trial with a considerable degree of trepidation.”
On the Bromsgrove Standard Facebook page, residents questioned what their council tax was being spent on, while others expressed fears saying it was ‘totally unacceptable’, ‘not a wise decision’, ‘asking for trouble’ and ‘an invitation to vandals and trespassers.’
Coun Majid Mahmood, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for transport and environment, confirmed the review of the gate locking/unlocking service was being carried out across 34 parks in the city.
“The service is currently completed by a third party security contractor and as part of the service review we are exploring alternative options to this current delivery model.
“As there is no in-house provision to complete this service, one proposal considered is leaving the gates to the 34 parks open overnight.
“Following a trial at a small number of parks in the summer we will now carry out a site-by-site assessment to detail the impact of stopping gate locking in the 34 parks.”
Anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour at Birmingham’s park car parks should email [email protected] to report it.
