Parking charges are set to be reintroduced at Wyndley Leisure Centre in Sutton Coldfield, with a new ANPR camera system being installed from August 10 and going live on September 1. However, those using the centre's facilities, including the swimming pool, leisure centre, or Costa Coffee, will be able to park for free for four hours by registering their vehicle details on tablets inside the centre.
New ANPR System and Free Parking for Users
The car park at Wyndley Leisure Centre, located on Clifton Road, has been free to use for some time, with barriers and ticket booths out of action. This has allowed even non-users to park there and wander into Sutton Park. The new system aims to protect spaces for centre users.
Customers will be able to enter their registration number into the new system and enjoy four hours of free parking. Additionally, they can use the site more than once a day, re-entering their number to get another four hours free. The ANPR system will operate 24/7, but the car park will not be available outside the centre's opening hours.
Implementation and Customer Communication
Wyndley Leisure Centre emailed customers on Friday, August 7, with a 'car park update' stating that a new parking management system would be introduced 'from August 10'. That date marks the start of equipment installation, with the actual go-live date confirmed as Tuesday, September 1, the day after the late August Bank Holiday.
The email explained: "Parking controls have always been in place at the centre, although our previous system has been out of operation for a little while. We're now introducing a new solution to help keep parking spaces available for the people who use our facilities, while making visits simpler and more convenient."
Installation is expected to take around four days, and the car park will remain open throughout, with a request for extra care while contractors are on site.
Charges for Non-Users and Grace Period
Non-leisure centre users will have to pay via an app. The exact charges or penalties for not entering a registration number have not yet been confirmed. However, an old sign at the site reveals previous charges: two hours for 50p, four hours for £1, and over four hours for £1.50, with lost tickets costing £3. The old grace period was 30 minutes, but the new system will offer a 10-minute drop-off or pick-up grace period, as confirmed by Serco.
Andrew Taylor, Deputy Contract Manager for Birmingham Community Leisure Trust, which operates the car park on behalf of the council, said: "We are introducing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology at Wyndley Leisure Centre, which will give customers four hours of free parking while they’re using the facility. The new system launches on September 1st, and will simply involve registering your car’s registration number via tablets, which will be available in each reception area at the centre."
He added: "The introduction of ANPR technology is our way of prioritising the parking needs of the people who use this very popular community hub."
Context and Local Reaction
The move follows the introduction of increased parking charges at Sutton Coldfield Railway Station's car park, which faced backlash from businesses and politicians. Sutton Trinity councillor David Pears (Cons.) said the move to charge for the Wyndley site was 'in many ways forced upon us from the potential to charge for parking in Sutton Park'. That proposal is still being pursued by the latest administration at Birmingham City Council, with letters sent to residents near the car park regarding traffic regulation orders for yellow lines to prevent parking on residential streets. However, no firm move for park car park charging infrastructure has yet been made.
