LOCAL PEOPLE SAY NO TO RICHMOND PARK CAR PARKING CHARGES

6.10.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th May 2009

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, handed a petition against plans to introduce parking charges in Richmond Park to the Royal Parks on Friday.

The MP, working with residents across the local area, collected over a thousand signatures against plans to introduce parking charges in Richmond Park.

Susan Kramer also expressed her views about the plans in a formal response to the consultation (see below).

Susan Kramer MP commented:

"Listening to people locally and further afield, it is clear that there is widespread opposition to charging visitors to the Park.

"Richmond Park is a wonderful open space, enjoyed by all and it would be very sad if those with mobility difficulties, or on low incomes were to be denied access."

"Residents who live on the outskirts of the Park are understandably worried about visitors trying to avoid paying by parking on residential streets.

"There has been a long history of free access for all to the Park, and I have told Royal Parks that it should stay that way."

Susan Kramer's response to the consultation is below:

THE ROYAL PARKS REGULATIONS - CONSULTATION CLOSING 1ST MAY, 2009

Dear sir,

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your consultation on the introduction new park regulations. As the MP for Richmond Park, I will confine my comments to those issues which impact my constituency which encompasses Richmond Park and the area outside all gates except the Roehampton Gate.

Q1 - Q5 Introduction of Parking Charges

I am opposed to the proposals to introduce car parking charges into the car parks in Richmond Park. I recognise that Richmond Park does not receive adequate funds from DCMS, but I am quite sure that funds could be raised through a variety of fund raising campaigns since this is a much beloved park. Such a move would be far preferable to effectively ending free access to the park for most people. I also question the need to build sophisticated urban car parking facilities which is to be the primary use of the money.

You will be aware that public transport to Richmond Park is very limited with few buses coming even close to the Gates. There is no public transport through the park so that except for very fit cyclists and walkers everyone else is dependent on a car to go to anywhere except to the periphery. Not even Pembroke Lodge has public transport access.

Richmond Park is a "lung" and a wonderful space in outer London. Given that we all want Richmond Park to be enjoyed by walkers, dog-walkers, families, picknikers,older people and indeed people of every age, any measure needs to encourage not discourage visitors. The proposed charges would amount quickly to over £500 for regular users. People who pop in when they have a quiet moment would hesitate to come. I note that this is in marked contrast to the government's policy of free entry to museums.

The charging scheme would also have a harmful knock-on effect for residents living outside the park gates. Most of the roads just outside the park have not required Controlled Parking Zones but these zones would not only become a necessity but would be required for the weekends as well as weekdays. The cost to residents would, therefore, be very high as well as making it very difficult for friends to visit.

Many people have signed petitions in opposition to the proposed parking charges and I will submit those that have come to me under separate cover.

Q6 - Private Hire Vehicles; Q7 advertisements on taxis and PHVs

I can accept PHVs using Richmond Park provided they are licensed by the Public Carriage Office. However, I do think that this should be introduced only for a 6 month period so that we can be sure that the change does not lead to a significant increase in traffic through the park.

Since most taxis now have adverts on them, I can see no reason to prohibit taxis or licensed PHVs from using the Richmond Park.

Q13 Animal Faeces

I agree that it should be clear that owners need not clean up horse faeces. However, this is also an opportunity to educate dog owners on the reason why dog faeces are different from deer and horse faeces and need to be cleaned-up because they introduce chemicals into the park. Mosr dog walkers are completely unaware of this.