9:14pm Wednesday 27th January 2010
On the outside of central London lie seven gates connected by tall imposing fencing. On the inside of these barriers lies a separate world to London. The gates hold a world of greenery, wildlife and nature. The name, Richmond Park. All my life I have lived within walking distance of Richmond Park, at 7 years of I took part in a bike challenge where we campaigned against cars. To this day I can remember my father banging on the windows of cars and ordering them to “get out of their cars and walk.”
Recently the council announced plans to introduce “paying to park”. In principle this is a good idea and my father would certainly be pleased. Car owners will be reluctant to pay resulting in less cars polluting Richmond Park. However it is still possible to drive to Richmond Park and escape the parking fee by parking on the non-residential parking spaces in short the streets surrounding Richmond Park. Residents fear the introduction of residential parking meaning traffic wardens coming further up the hill and slamming the mark of disapproval onto the car window. Also the build up of cars around the park will stop friends and family and even the residents parking due to build up.
Personally I think charging for the parking spaces would be beneficial, it will result in less cars being used and therefore less pollution. After all what is more important, whether Auntie Doris can get her ford focus parked or the survival of the planet.
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