Eaton Park car park charges prompts plea to neighbours

Charges at Eaton Park were introduced last month, with leaders at Labour-controlled Norwich City Council officers saying they were needed to raise £50,000 and help plug City Hall's £6.2m budget gap.

But 91pc of people who responded to public consultation said they did not want the charges brought in.

Eaton Park (Image: Sonya Duncan)

And people who live near the park are angry that the council's decision means drivers, keen to swerve fees which start at £2 for up to four hours, are parking outside their homes instead.

Brian Watkins, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Eaton (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Brian Watkins, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Eaton, said: "Lib Dem campaigners have already witnessed the great anger on the doorsteps about the implementation of car parking charges at Eaton Park, and it’s not just from people living in the immediate vicinity.

"It is arrogance of the highest order, and Lib Dems will campaign alongside local people to try and persuade the council to change its mind as soon as possible."

READ MORE: More than 200 say no to idea of parking charges in Norwich parks

Eaton Park (Image: Antony Kelly)

Mr Watkins said he and fellow Eaton councillors wanted neighbours to document parking issues.

He said the council is due to carry out a review in three months and records from local people would help build up evidence of parking problems sparked by the new charges.

He added councillors also wanted to hear from sports groups and clubs which use the park.

Labour city councillor Adam Giles (Image: Norwich City Council)

When the charges were brought in, Adam Giles, the city council's portfolio holder for parks and open spaces, said: "For those who do need to park, we have responded to feedback from the public consultation, keeping costs low and introducing a season ticket option and a 15-minute free period for families to drop off or pick up children who are doing activities in the park."