PROPOSED PARKING CHARGES PUBLISHED FOR BUSHY AND RICHMOND PARKS
The Royal Parks has shared its formal proposal to introduce parking charges for the first time for parking in Bushy and Richmond Parks, Teddington Town has learned.
After considerable planning and an 8-week consultation in 2021 on proposals The Royal Parks has decided to move forward with the decision and ‘will look to implement charges.’
However, the introduction of any charges across the two parks does require the approval of the government, which, according to the Royal Parks, is ‘unlikely to be in the near future.’
The consultation received 12,000 responses, with 81% of respondents against the charges.
The Royal Parks says on its website: “Over the last few years as the parks have increased in popularity, we’ve seen an ever-increasing demand for parking in our limited supply of car parks.
“To manage this, we’re intending to introduce parking charges.
“Charges will work to encourage many people to use more sustainable ways to travel to the parks, both of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, while ensuring that those who need to visit the parks by car can still do so.
“The move will discourage the use of the car parks by commuters who aren’t visiting the parks and will raise money which will be spent on the maintenance and upkeep of travel-related infrastructure in the park, freeing valuable park resources for investment in other areas, such as conservation.”
A spokesperson for The Royal Parks said: “In 2021, following public consultation and approval from the previous Government, we announced that we would be introducing parking charges in Richmond and Bushy Parks. However, the implementation of parking charges also requires Parliamentary approval, and there was not enough time to get this change approved before the new Government came to power.
“We still firmly believe that charging for parking is the right thing to do, but we have not yet formally requested approval for this from the new Government.”
Andrew Scattergood Chief Executive of The Royal Parks has said previously: “We’ve seen an ever-increasing demand for parking in our limited number of car parks and this change is needed.
“It helps us manage demand for the car parks, which are currently often full by mid- morning, and will bring much needed revenue for related maintenance into the Royal Parks charity at a time when other income streams have reduced alongside unprecedented use of the parks.
“This will hopefully encourage many to use more sustainable ways to travel to the parks, both of which are designated as sites of special scientific interest, while ensuring that those who need to visit the parks by car can still do so.”
As a result of its consultation and ‘concerns raised’ charges will apply on weekdays from 9am until 4pm during park opening times rather than 9am until 6pm as originally proposed.
According to The Royal Parks the new stream of revenue generated by the charges will be used in a wide range of ways as outlined below.
- Car park resurfacing
2. Maintaining park roads
3. Improved pedestrian
crossings
4. Upgraded pedestrian gates
5. Investing in mobility
schemes
6. Better wayfinding signage
7. Installing traffic calming measures
Rate charge (per hour)
Hours (up to maximum of 6 hours)
Mon – Fri £1.40 9am-4pm
Weekends £2.00 9am-6pm
Blue badge holders free Up to 6 hours
For information and consultation results click here www.royalparks.org.uk/parkingcharges