Concerns over plans to introduce community and leisure car parking charges in Wokingham
Labour councillors say Lib Dems have "snubbed" a 2,000-strong petition
Last updated 9th Dec 2025
There's a fear free parking is coming to an end at community and leisure centre sites in Wokingham.
The Borough Council's Labour group claims the wishes of almost 2,000 residents in Wokingham have again been snubbed by the Liberal Democrats ran authority.
More than 2,000 residents signed Wokingham Labour’s petition calling for the council to keep parking free after plans were introduced to charge for car parking at four car parks across the borough, including at Avery Corner in Finchampstead, School Green in Shinfield and Ashenbury Park in Woodley. The Labour group says the ruling Liberal Democrats kicked the proposal into the long grass and now the plans are back for discussion.
There are also plans to increase the cost of parking in Dinton Pastures and California Country Park by 18% – nearly a fifth – further penalising residents wanting to get some fresh air and exercise.
Shinfield councillor Andrew Gray says he is concerned, but not surprised, that these proposals are on the table so soon after the Lib Dems appeared to support free parking.
He said: “We knew this would happen. Back in March, the Lib Dems would only commit to free parking for this year. Sure enough, residents are now to be clobbered by charges. We are very disappointed that the Liberal Democrats have chosen not to listen to residents.
“Earlier this year, residents were so angry at the plans to bring in parking charges at community and leisure car parks. There was disbelief that the Lib Dems would consider charging them to take part in all kinds of leisure activities. Now, they will be shocked that six months on their views are once again being ignored.
“Community car parks like the one at School Green are well used by parents for toddler groups, youth clubs, the low-cost cinema, and other community meetings. Charging them would be wrong.”
He added that Shinfield residents would welcome action on parking restrictions to prevent the School Green parking bays from being misused, but that introducing charging would be a red line.
In Woodley, there are proposals to charge for car parking at Ashenbury Park. It currently has one of the worst car park surfaces in the borough, with Loddon ward councillor Greg Bello comparing it to craters on the moon. He said: “They are trying to justify this by renaming Ashenbury Park as Ashenbury Country Park, presumably because it has a lake. For this privilege, Woodley residents get to pay almost £3 an hour to walk their dog.
"Renaming it as a new country park means residents will be asked to pay the extravagant fees charged in Dinton Pastures and California Country Park to let their children play in the park. It’s a tax on leisure and sends the wrong message about healthy living.
“To consider introducing this just months after residents spoke loud and clear about car park charges is tone deaf. Labour will continue to fight these proposals. As the party who organised the 2,000 strong petition, we know the strength of feeling on the issue.”
A spokesperson at Wokingham Borough Council says no decisions have been made yet, and that it will be discussed in the budget setting process.