Visits to parks across Redditch surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, and remain currently at 51% higher than usual.
Whilst I welcome the increased usage of our fantastic parks it’s a situation that also comes with challenges.
There’s more litter for starters and we need to empty bins more often. Footfall might be up, but the staffing budget isn’t.
We’re also seeing increased car parking demand, resulting in overflow to nearby businesses and people parking on the grass verges, which also cost money to our right.
We’re getting reports of anti-social behaviour, even camping, which is currently prohibited.
I want to assure all residents that as the council’s portfolio holder for parks I am monitoring the situation closely and liaise regularly with officers. We are working on a number of things that we hope will help, and I look forward to sharing more details in due course.
If you are interested in getting more involved with parks and open spaces across Redditch as a volunteer please email me on mike.rouse@redditchbc.gov.uk
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