KINGSTON CAR PARK IN RICHMOND PARK WILL OPEN LATER TO STOP ‘PARK AND RIDE’ COMMUTERS
The Kingston car park in Richmond Park will not open until 9am on weekdays from March this year because the car park is being used as a free ‘park and ride’ facility for commuters using Norbiton Railway Station, The Royal Parks announced today.
On occasions the car park can be full by 8.20am and cars are left there all day, limiting parking availability for genuine park visitors at various times of the day.
It is hope that the move will discourage given that many commuters set off earlier. All other car parks will operate under the usual opening hours, opening at 730am in the winter and closing at dusk. with no overnight parking allowed.
A Royal Parks spokesperson said: “From 3 March 2025, we will introduce a later opening time of 9am at Kingston Gate Car Park on weekdays.
“This later weekday car park opening time is intended to prioritise parking for park visitors during the day and discourage use of the facility as a free ‘park and ride’ service for commuters. Weekend parking remains unaffected.
“Alternative Blue Badge parking is available at all other car parks, and the opening times for all other car parks across Richmond Park remain unchanged.”
Over the last few years Richmond Park has increased in popularity and there is an ever-increasing demand for visitor parking in the limited supply of car parks available.
Currently, the relatively small and free-to-use Kingston Gate Car Park, is being filled first thing during weekday mornings by commuters travelling from Norbiton Station who use nearby Kingston Gate Car Park as a ‘park and ride’ facility.
Parking by commuters prevents park visitors from being able to access the car park during weekdays.