Parking Fees Furore: Much Ado About Nothing or a Tax On Recreation?

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge’s plan to introduce parking fees to Richmond and Bushy parks has sparked a fearsome challenge from campaigners and opposition MP’s. A large-scale protest took place in Richmond Park on Saturday as more than a thousand infuriated residents branded defiant banners as they were addressed by a number of politicians.

Ms Hodge’s policy to charge drivers £1 an hour has provoked unforeseen anger from locals and politicians alike and channels have already been initiated for reconsideration, with debates imminent in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, as a conclusion is sought as to whether or not a 250 year old tradition of free use is to be brought to an end.

But perhaps there has been an overreaction. The fees seem minimal and are only trying to encourage, what in the Mayor of London’s words were, “the greening of our streets”. It would certainly detract many from their pointless car journeys from a ten or twenty-minute walk away and would hopefully conclude in a quieter, more peaceful park, with fewer cars circulating within it as well as providing a sprinkling of revenue with which to maintain such illustrious green locations. Surely if the need of the park is so great at times, people will not mind paying pocket money for the privilege of using some of the greatest sites of natural beauty that this country can offer?

Well residents say this is not the case, that the scheme is a tax on recreation but importantly locals also have the backing of many high-profile politicians. MP for Twickenham Vince Cable has already voiced his opposition to Ms Hodge and says that his party are willing to fight against the implementation of parking fees. Conservative parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park Zac Goldsmith was also at the forefront of the protests, having organised the rally and promising more to come, slamming misjudgement on the part of the authorities. The crux of their argument revolves around unwillingness towards having to pay for access to a natural site, which they should indeed be entitled to use freely. An underlying sense of taxation riles many, who feel that such a system would negate easy access to such an extent that it would become a struggle to enjoy fresh air, and rejuvenating walks with sufficient frequency. They also argue that fees would discourage drivers to such an extent that the revenue gained from the exploit would be trivial when allied with the hiring of parking wardens and installation of ticket machines.

No doubt the argument will rumble on but Ms. Hodge will need to begin to listen and soon if the people are to get their way and chaos is not to ensue.