Lourie and Kramer condemn charging for parking in Royal Parks (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Lourie and Kramer condemn charging for parking in Royal Parks

January 17, 2010 5:04 PM

• FOLLOWING the announcement from Margaret Hodge, the minister responsible for Royal Parks, that charging for car parking would be allowed, Cllr Serge Lourie, Leader of Richmond Council, said: "Our view remains the same - Royal Parks should not charge for car parking in Richmond and Bushy Parks. We strongly believe it will only lead to more congestion in roads immediately outside the entrances, which will cause chaos for our residents.

"I will be meeting with Margaret Hodge, the minister responsible for this decision, along with the leaders of Wandsworth and Kingston Councils on Monday. I'm sure we'll be very interested to hear her justification for making people pay to park to visit one of our region's treasures. I would also like her to explain why it's acceptable for local people to lose out on parking near their homes when visitors seek to avoid the charges."

Cllr David Trigg, Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking, said: "We have no problem with the minister's decision to reduce speed limits from 30 to 20 mph in Bushy Park, this is a good move. We do want her to allow bus routes into both Richmond and Bushy Park to allow more sustainable transport choices for people who want to visit and I hope she will give serious consideration to this sensible suggestion."

Commenting on the decision, Susan Kramer said: "It is outrageous that the Government is choosing to ignore the strength of opposition to these parking plans. "There is a long tradition of free access to the Park which will be lost if charges are introduced. I am also extremely concerned that the very real worries of residents about displacement of parking onto residential roads have not been taken on board. But the battle is not over yet. I will now be working with colleagues in Parliament to try and force a vote on the plans. And if charges are introduced, the Liberal Democrats are already committed to trying to reverse the decision after the next general election. We will be seeking this assurance from other political parties as we continue the fight. The message I want to give local residents is that the fight is not over yet. I will continue to campaign through every avenue in Parliament and outside to stop these charges being introduced."

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: