The Government has taken less than a week to reject a plea from the House of Lords to reconsider introducing parking charges in Richmond and Bushy parks.

Its decision came as no surprise to campaigners but they were quick to express their anger over the speed at which Culture Minister Margaret Hodge brushed aside calls from peers.

The House of Lords passed a Conservative motion last Wednesday to force a rethink but on Tuesday Labour Lord, Bill Brett, said the principle behind hourly charges of up to £1 was “sound”.

Chairman of the Friends of Bushy and Home Park (FBHP), Pieter Morpurgo, said: “Once again they have ignored public opinion which they have been doing all along.

“They have not spent anymore time thinking about it at all.

“It was transparent to me they would say they have thought about it and we have heard what you are saying but we are ignoring it.”

Mr Morpurgo claimed concern was already growing that Richmond Council would start bringing in controlled parking zones in roads close to both borough parks to combat a predicted displacement of drivers trying to avoid paid-for parking. The Government has continually said this prediction is not backed up by research from the Royal Parks, which manages the open spaces.

Meanwhile, parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith, issued a staunch warning to the Royal Parks.

He said: “I have written a strong letter to the Royal Parks advising them that any move to introduce the charges will result in a serious backlash.

“They would be mad to ignore local opinion and the verdict of the Lords. If they do, I do not believe the quango will survive the repercussions.”

Constituency MP Susan Kramer again hit out at Tories for not supporting a Liberal Democrats’ fatal motion, which would have seen parking charges killed off, but promised to try and block the unpopular scheme at the planning application stage.

FBHP campaigner, Annie Murray, said: “We will be appealing to the authorities and fight on against the introduction of unsightly infrastructure in this glorious treasure.

“The fact that a toll is not being considered is a grave error of judgement; this government continues to misjudge the strength of feeling amongst park users.”

In his statement, Lord Brett said the Government had not ruled out road tolls indefinitely, but said: “There is no evidence that road tolls would be popular with visitors.”

A spokeswoman for the Royal Parks said: “The plan is to introduce the charges in the Autumn. The date we are working towards is October.

She confirmed that planning permission would first need approval from the relevant authorities.

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