Questions over Reform’s ‘broken promise’ to offer free parking

Questions have been raised over Reform UK’s commitment to introducing free parking across Sandwell.

Reform UK, which ended Labour’s 47-year reign in control of Sandwell Council in May, made scrapping of fees at council-owned car parks among the party’s key promises in the run-up to its historic election win.

Since then, free parking has been offered for only two hours at just three council-owned car parks as part of a pilot scheme in support of Great Bridge and Wednesbury’s markets.

As of September, drivers can park for free for up to two hours at Great Bridge Market Place as well as Ridding Lane and Albert Street car parks in Wednesbury.

Labour councillor Liam Preece will use next week’s full council meeting to ask Reform leader Ray Nock to confirm the party’s commitment to free parking across the borough and explain why the promise has not yet been delivered.

He said “significant” policy changes affect residents, enforcement and council income should be supported by evidence and properly scrutinised.

Cllr Preece, who represents West Bromwich Central, said drivers had been left confused after being asked to obtain a ticket to park for free as well as having to pay the full price – without a discount – if parking beyond two hours.

Reform-run Sandwell Council said the parking pilot would look into whether reducing costs for shoppers, visitors and traders would increase footfall and support local high streets. Market traders have also been offered free stall hire.

Wednesbury and Great Bridge were selected due to facing “greater challenges” than other parts of the borough with both markets operating at a deficit, the council said.

West Bromwich and Blackheath were discounted from the free parking pilot because they “perform well financially and are popular.”

Great Bridge Retail Park, a stone’s throw from the outdoor market, already offers up to two hours free parking and visitors to Wednesbury can already park for three hours with no charge at the town’s Morrisons car park.

The council said it is expecting to lose £13,000 in income during the pilot.

The motion, which will be proposed at next Tuesday’s full council meeting, said: “Council notes that the current Reform administration publicly promised to introduce free parking across all Sandwell Council-owned car parks as one of its first major decisions upon taking office.

“[…] instead of delivering a borough-wide free parking scheme, the leader of the council and cabinet member for highways have introduced a 12-month pilot on just three car parks in only two of the borough’s six towns, Wednesbury and Great Bridge, with free parking available only for the first two hours.

“Council is concerned that no cabinet report, decision report, business case, equality impact assessment or financial assessment relating to the introduction of the pilot has been published for consideration by councillors or scrutiny prior to its implementation.

“Council believes that residents deserve honesty and transparency regarding commitments made during local election campaigns, and that any parking policy should be clear, fair and easy for motorists to understand.”

The motion also calls for records that led to the decision to be published as well as regular updates on its progress.

Sandwell Council said free market stalls were offered in Wednesbury for three months in 2024 but “failed to improve trade.”

Free rent for one-off specialist food markets had also been offered in Wednesbury and West Bromwich but traders had “not made enough money to warrant coming back, even when the rent was free.”

As much as £2.6m was spent on Wednesbury town centre between 2020 and 2024 including moving its outdoor market to Market Square and restoring its grade II listed clock tower.

The improvement works included new pavements and shopfronts.

By Christian Barnett | Local Democracy Reporting Service