Labour are failing Liverpool’s parks, says Lib Dems

Liverpool Liberal Democrats have taken aim at Labour’s record on parks, accusing the Labour administration of years of failure, broken promises, and neglect while some of the city’s most loved green spaces are left vulnerable.

At the next Full Council Meeting, Carl Cashman has put forward a motion demanding urgent action to protect Liverpool’s parks once and for all.

This comes nearly five years after Labour failed to deliver on its own 2021 promise to safeguard 100 parks under the Fields in Trust scheme. Only 16 parks have been protected.

The Liverpool Liberal Democrats’ “Protect our Parks” motion calls for:

• A firm deadline to put all 100 parks into trust by the end of this municipal year
• Harsher fines for littering and graffiti – up to the legal maximum of £500
• A long-overdue citywide Parks Strategy, something Labour has still failed to produce

Liverpool Lib Dems say Labour’s approach has left parks exposed to anti-social behaviour, overstretched infrastructure from commercial events, and even attempted sell-offs – including the infamous bid to sell off parts of Calderstones Park, which residents had to take Labour to court to stop.

Cllr Carl Cashman, Leader of the Opposition, said:

“Labour has broken promises on our parks. Their record is one of making communities take matters into their own hands, even being forced to fight the council just to save their green spaces.

“Liverpool was promised 100 protected parks. Nearly five years later, we’ve got just 16. Liberal Democrats are saying enough is enough. Our parks belong to the people of Liverpool, and we will fight to protect them for good.

“Labour has had years to get this right and hasn’t. Liberal Democrats are stepping in with clear demands, clear deadlines, and a clear message: hands off our parks.”