Could a vehicle entry fee into Richmond Park be a better way to keep traffic levels down than parking charges?

The Royal Parks charity is currently considering the responses to a consultation on introducing fees to use the car parks inside Bushy and Richmond Park.

If fees are levied, local residents group the Richmond Society wants to see concessions for residents in the form of:

• annual weekday parking subscription in the same way that the National Trust lets its members park for free at many locations
• discounts for buying multiple parking vouchers

"Parking charges are akin to a regressive tax on the less wealthy who may be obliged to bypass or curtail visits to the park," the society said.

"The same is true of a park entry fee but we are concerned about imposing further costs on the public during the Covid-19 pandemic when access to open spaces is so important for physical and mental wellbeing and personal financial insecurity is increasing."

The Richmond Society believes an entry fee would cut the number of motorists who use the park as a through road, and also questioned why motorcyclists would park for free under the proposals.

"Drivers who use the park as a through route are not stopping and would not be affected by parking costs.

"A park entry fee levied on all vehicles would therefore be a better way of reducing traffic and achieving the benefits of less congestion and better air quality."

The group also said better public transport to and from the park is needed.

When parking charges were first proposed 10 years ago the Royal Parks engaged with Transport for London over public transport improvements, including the possibility of a bus route into the park.

Impact of fees on Richmond residents

There are 1,250 members in The Richmond Society which describes itself as Richmond's leading civic and amenity body.

These are four ways in which it said its members would be affected by the introduction of parking fees.

• as locals they are regular visitors to Richmond Park and users of the concessions.
• £1.40 per hour quickly becomes a significant charge on those who routinely use the Park for exercise and dog walking. They may instead be obliged to use other open spaces which shifts the pressures to alternative locations that are less able to cope with higher usage.
• as the residents of roads near to the Park they will be affected by displacement parking. Many of the nearby Richmond roads are covered by Controlled Parking Zones, but these do not give protection on Sundays when the proposed parking charge is higher.
• the park uses the voluntary help of many Richmond residents and it would be unreasonable to charge a volunteer for parking.

What has been proposed

Parking in Richmond Park is currently free.

Royal Parks proposes to introduce charges for a maximum stay of six hours, to ensure a turnover of spaces.

Blue Badge parking and parking for motorcyclists would continue to be free, but subject to the maximum-stay limit.

Fees would be £1.40 per hour Monday to Saturday, and £2.00 per hour on Sunday, to a maximum of six hours on any day.

The charges would apply between 9am to 6pm when these hours fall within park opening times.

Rationale for the changes

The Royal Parks charity said: "The charges are designed to enable us to better manage the high demand for parking in the parks.

"It will also encourage the use of more sustainable ways to travel to the parks and contribute to the maintenance costs of these facilities."

Support for fees

Richmond Park Cyclists are in support of the idea.

They argued that parking costs will lead to "more diverse populations of visitors cycling in the park, many for the first time".

The group gave a historical take on the bid to bring in charges which you can read here.

1,700 oppose

A petition against the fees has been signed by more than 1,700 people.

Petition author Mary Ann Ellery said it was an "indefensible" proposal.

"It is essential for people's mental and physical well being that access to the parks is encouraged rather than restricted," she said.

Reflections on a chaotic weekend

Extraordinary numbers of visitors flocked to Richmond Park last weekend, with lifelong Richmond resident Sonia Wynn-Jones describing the situation as "never like this in the 71 years I have lived here".

Another resident Seonaide Tara said: "The park was madness. I live 5 mins from it and routinely walk there normally. Couldn't yesterday."

There was extremely heavy traffic on the roads both inside the park and on nearby residential streets.

Some drivers were turning around after arriving at Richmond Gate and realising that the car park near Pembroke Lodge was full.

Law student Jack Fifield was in the park with his camera and captured the scenes.

His photographs show traffic at a standstill on Queen's Road which runs between Richmond and Kingston via Pembrook Lodge café.

Statement from park manager

Speaking after the weekend, Richmond Park assistant park manager Adam Curtis said: "With limited places to visit due to the lockdown, all the parks, but especially Richmond and Bushy Parks, have been extremely busy, with people taking advantage of the sunny weekend weather to relax and get some exercise in the beautiful green spaces.

"We encourage people not to travel by car during the busiest times. Last weekend all the car parks have been full and the roads in the area have been busy with vehicles and cyclists, leading to long delays and cars turning around on arrival.

"Please take care and be considerate of others on your visit by staying a safe distance and consider visiting the parks at quieter times, such as early in the morning or during the week.

"Particularly at popular times please help us care for the park by taking litter home if the bins are full."

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