Residents' Demo Over Park Parking charges

5.39.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Apr 2009

250 local residents attended a demonstration in Bushy Park on Saturday to protest over proposed parking charges in the Royal Parks. The demo was organised by local amenity groups - the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks, Teddington Society, Hampton Society, Hampton Hill Association - and addressed by MP Vincent Cable who came to support the protesters.

He said, afterwards: "the big turnout showed the strength of local feeling. The demo was good natured but the Royal Parks should be under no illusion about the strength of opposition".

"My particular concern is the confusion in the Parks authorities about what they are trying to achieve. It is said that the parking money is for parks' improvements but then we are told the aim is to stop cars coming into the park. But if that is the aim why pick on the 50% of motorists who actually stop to enjoy the beauty of the park and relax? The last thing the park users want is that, whenever they go out for a walk or a picnic, they have to keep their eyes skinned for a new squad of Royal Parks parking wardens. The authorities are due to report to the minister in the autumn and I am hopeful that the strength of feeling will make them think again".