Silver lining to Richmond Park parking charges?

For many people in South West London, Richmond Park is the perfect day out, whether for walking the dog, admiring the horticulture or simply playing a bit of football. At almost two and a half thousand acres it is the largest park in London, and within easy distance of many nearby areas. However, access to the park has become a controversial issue in recent times, and a debate has raged in the last year as to whether visitors should pay for parking.

A familiar reaction to the proposal is an instant disagreement- after all, there has been a public right of way since the park was first walled in 1637. It is understandable that the very notion of paying for parking in Richmond Park offends people’s ideals of common land. The proposed system involves drivers using any of Richmond Park’s 6 car carks paying £1 an hour up to a maximum of £3. The thinking is that this will encourage people to cycle and walk to the park, while also bringing Royal Parks a suggested annual income of £345,000 which could be put towards park maintenance and improvement.

Public opinion seems to be generally against the introduction of parking charges. A survey carried out on the community group the ‘Friends of Richmond Park’ found 57% of the 400 members polled were against the charges. Numerous local politicians have rallied round behind opposition to parking charges. Justine Greening, MP for Putney, said in Parliament last year that she thinks parking charges could lead to the park becoming ‘the preserve of the rich and the middle classes’. While it is a point to be concerned about, it is unlikely that a charge of £3 at most would dissuade even the poorest families when many urban car parks charge that amount for just a couple of hours. Residents of streets nearby have expressed concerns that it could push parking onto their streets, but perhaps that is the price to pay for having such a fantastic open space on one’s doorstep.

The real problem many see with car parking charges is that they are unfair to the disabled or those who live too far away to realistically cycle to the park. A solution to this problem would be well-monitored free disabled spaces, and a bus route. Richmond-upon-Thames council leaders have suggested a route from Richmond to Kingston Hospital through the park, an excellent idea which would also open up the park to many more new visitors. Disgruntled park visitors also point out that the people who really abuse the magnificent open space are those who still use it to cut through, and suggest an alternative, toll-based system that would only charge those who enter and leave the park within half an hour.

In conclusion, there are some very good reasons for parking charges in the park. Whatever the eventual decision, it seems to be a debate that will stretch long into this year, and it is likely that parking will remain free at least over this summer, the park’s busiest time.