A CONSERVATIVE campaigner is calling for an under-threat Kidderminster car park to be run by a community trust.

Last week, The Shuttle reported that Wyre Forest District Council was said to be in “behind closed doors” discussions about alternative uses for the facility in Broadwaters Park.

They included selling off part or all of the car park and possibly introducing charges.

That came hard on the heels of the outcry from residents in Bewdley and Stourport over unpopular plans put in place for other car parks.

Steve Walker, secretary of the Eastern Branch Committee of the Wyre Forest Conservative Association, has criticised the council for “looking to dispose of such an important local amenity”.

He has called for local groups, such as The Friends of Broadwaters and the Horsefair,Broadwaters and Greenhill Partnership, to put in a bid to run the car park as a community trust.

He said: “If Broadwaters Park car park is required by the community, then why should not a local group take it on as a community trust?”

Howard Martin, Labour Broadwaters councillor, said, however, setting up a community trust posed too many difficulties, such as who would take responsibility for public liability insurance.

He added: “There is nothing wrong in principle with the idea of a community trust. It is just that the logistics of putting it together are extremely difficult.”

Mr Martin said that Mr Walker “uninvited and for the first time ever” attended a recent Friends of Broadwaters meeting and asked whether he was there to report back “the tone of the discussion on the night”.

Jim Marsh, chairman of the Friends of Broadwaters, agreed with Mr Martin that the “status quo” should be maintained.

He explained: “The car park is entirely within the grounds of Broadwaters Park and, as such, is no different to Spennells Valley car park, Springfield car park and the parking facilities at Brinton Park, all of which are free and none of whose status quo is being considered for change.

“Simply move Broadwaters Park car park into the same band and the job is done.”

Conservative councillor, Marcus Hart, cabinet member for housing and environmental services, claimed that the current free status of the car park was “inconsistent” with the arrangements in the rest of the district.

He said: “Just because I am saying that the status quo is not an option I am not automatically saying that the car park is suddenly going to become chargeable or be disposed of.”

He added he had an open mind about the way forward but said a sensible solution would be to set up a community trust.