Charging for parking will reduce pleasure of visiting beauty spot (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Charging for parking will reduce pleasure of visiting beauty spot

9:10am Saturday 21st February 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(3)

We read with disbelief and dismay of the plans to charge for parking in Richmond Park.

We have lived in Richmond for over 30 years because we enjoy being fairly adjacent to this wonderful and unspoilt place.

It is, without doubt, the most beautiful green space in London.

When not working, we spend a lot of our free time walking in the park.

Each time we are eternally thankful that there is still one pleasure that costs nothing in these difficult times – but this could all change.

We feel residents should be allowed to park free or at least have a substantial discount.

At the moment we pay a terrifyingly high council tax for which we receive absolutely no visible facilities, apart from rubbish collection.

If the Royal Parks Agency wishes to reduce the numbers of cars using the park surely all it needs to do is instigate some form of mini-coach transport that goes from gate to gate and car park to car park all day long, thus also enabling the older and disabled members of our community to get to and from and to circumnavigate the park whenever they wish.

Lastly, if the car parks are charged by the hour, this will greatly reduce the pleasure of being there, as one will be trying to tailor one’s activities into one or two-hour ‘blocks’ instead of just being in the park and doing what one wants – however long that may take.

John Dodds

Manor Gardens, Richmond