Drivers' anger at charge for using Richmond Park

PLANS to introduce parking charges at London's largest royal park have prompted a backlash.

The proposals, which could see visitors paying £2 an hour to use any of the six car parks serving 2,500-acre Richmond Park, have met criticism from those living nearby who claim it will force drivers onto residential roads.

Dozens of angry letters have been sent to the Royal Parks Agency, which is suggesting the changes as part of a consultation document on the future of parking facilities.

Many claim the agency is concentrating on implementing "universal policies" and failing to consider the greater impact on the local area.

Others have complained that the charges could result in a fall in the number of elderly and disabled visitors, who rely on vehicle access as well as leading to congestion in neighbouring residential roads.

Richmond Park was opened to the public in 1758. It is home to around 650 deer and is designated as a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

Felicity Debenham, a regular visitor who has written to the Royal Parks to express her concerns, claimed the charges would put an end to the two-and-a-half century old tradition of free use of open space. "It is very black news," she said. "They will start charging for air soon."

Fellow park user Diana Lloyd-Jones said: "It would really disappoint me if they introduce charges after all these years. I wouldn't come everyday, I would probably park outside and walk in. The residents will then suffer."

Richmond Park is one of only two spaces owned by Royal Parks which does not charge to use the car parks. The other is Bushy Park in Teddington. Visitors to Hyde Park and Regent's Park are charged £2 an hour while at Greenwich Park it costs £1 to park for an hour. Kensington Gardens, St James's Park and Green Park do not have car parks.

A spokesman for Royal Parks said he expected the charges for Richmond Park to fall in line with other Royal Parks car parks but added the agency would also consider the cost of on-street parking in the Richmond area before a decision is made.

"We are going to be holding a 12-week consultation with a number of potential changes to park regulations," he said. "Full details will be available on our website within three or four weeks. The document is still being finalised. There are a number of potential changes and that will include parking."

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, said residents were planning to fight the proposal. "Local people will understandably be worried their roads will be impacted by visitors trying to avoid paying," she said. "There is presently no public transport access to the park, and introducing charges may discourage the elderly and those on low incomes from visiting."