Car park charges at sports and leisure facilities in Wokingham, including at Cantley Park, could still be introduced in future years.
Last week’s full council meeting revealed how the park on Twyford Road is currently “.. losing in the region of £50,000 per year.”
This is understood to be related to the day-to-day operating costs.
The Labour group on Wokingham borough council has since claimed the wishes of almost 2,000 Wokingham residents were snubbed by the ruling Lib Dem administration.
In a statement they said: “In just over 48 hours, residents had signed our petition calling for the council to keep parking free, after learning there had been proposals to introduce it at four car parks across the borough.
“Instead of getting behind the residents, the Lib Dems will only commit to keeping the free parking in place for this financial year.
“This means residents could be charged from April 2026.”
Labour councillors had brought the petition to the council. Introducing it, councillor Nagi Nagella said: “We are told that user groups of Cantley will be consulted as to how the running costs for this vital green space will be met.
“It suggests that users will still be asked to pay, be it in parking charges or placing the burden on the clubs they belong to.”
Labour group leader, councillor Rachel Burgess, said: “We have heard a very clear message from residents to keep parking free.
“We are very disappointed that the Liberal Democrats have chosen not to listen to residents, and instead are proposing to hold stakeholder meetings.
“It seems they will still make residents pay to play, be it through car parking charges or increase hire fees.
“This is disgraceful, and residents deserve better.”
Cllr Mark Ashwell, executive member for business development, sport and leisure, had earlier revealed how Cantley Park is losing in the region of £50,000 per year.
He said: “We’ve taken this facility for granted for far too long, and I’m personally guilty of taking Cantley Park, and all it’s done for me, for granted for more than 50 years.
“I’ve always found that the fear of loss is a great motivator, and this has certainly been the case in considering the potential loss of free car parking.
“Considering the principle of car parking, or considering the principle of charging to park our cars to fund our facilities, is bringing the community together.”
He said that three meetings have been scheduled with stakeholders, including Wokingham Theatre, Cantley House Hotel, the hockey club, archers, numerous football clubs, and private schools who all use the facility.
He added: “We need to increase income to cover costs, or contribute to reducing costs.
“We need to work together to generate external funding, and look at how this facility, in its widest sense, could be managed for the public good.
“Nothing must be left off the table, because something must be done to nurture the jewel in our north Wokingham crown.”
Executive member for finance and governance Imogen Sheperd-Dubey said there was ‘absolutely no risk’ of charged being implemented in the next two years.
She said: “Free car parks do have a cost for maintenance, and this petition is not suggesting a time limit – so I can only see that it forever intends us to prioritise free parking over the needs of the elderly, the disabled, children in care and children with special educational needs.
“This petition is trying to force the council to keep these car parks free forever, no matter who is running the council.”
The Liberal Democrats added that in some cases where sites are used by people accessing local shops, parking charges ‘may even be welcomed’.
They introduced an amendment to the petition which stated the council ‘notes that the financial implications of free parking will need to be taken into consideration in future years’.
This was approved by councillors, with Liberal Democrats voting in favour, and both the Conservatives and Labour voting against – although Labour and Conservatives expressed support for the original petition.
A spokesperson for Wokingham borough council told Wokingham Today: “We are currently looking at the running costs of Cantley Park, as well as the costs of necessary investments, and the income we generate through hiring out facilities at the park.
“We are currently looking at options on how to maintain and improve the quality of the pitches as part of this process.”
Sites affected by the potential introduction of car park charges include Cantley Park, Avery Corner in Finchampstead, Aldermoors, which serves Ashenbury Park in Woodley, and School Green in Shinfield.
While councilors have ruled out introducing parking charges during the next financial year, a motion that sought to rule our charges in future years was not supported.
