Labour PPCs (Twickeham and Richmond Park) urge Margaret Hodge to reconsider.
PRESS RELEASE by Brian Tomlinson and Eleanor Tunnicliffe(12 January 2010)
Today the Labour PPCs for Twickenham and Richmond Park have sent a letter to Margaret Hodge MP, the Minister for Culture and Tourism at the Department for Culture Media and Sport, stating our opposition to the proposed imposition of parking charges in Bushy Park and Richmond Park by the Royal Parks agency. Please see below the text of the letter.
Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP
Minister for Culture and Tourism
Department for Culture Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
Dear Margaret,
We are the Labour PPCs for Twickenham and Richmond Park. We are writing to you in your capacity as Minister for Culture and Tourism at the Department of Culture Media and Sport to state our opposition to the imposition of parking charges at Bushy Park and Richmond Park.
The proposed introduction of parking charges is a mistake.
We understand that the Royal Parks require to raise revenue to protect wildlife and preserve the environment of these much valued public spaces. The Royal Parks' requirement for revenue must however be balanced with the needs of local residents and must reflect the manner in which these parks are used by the communities they serve. Both parks are popular and well-used by a huge range of local residents from dog walkers, sports players and community groups.
The main reason given in the consultation document for the introduction of fees is that car parking charges will encourage more environmentally friendly use of the parks - that more people will leave their cars at home. Neither of the parks is easily accessible by public transport, especially for the many elderly people and young families who use these green spaces. Indeed, the report commissioned by the Royal Parks states: "There are currently no public transport links available that provide direct access into or through Richmond Park... Similarly to Richmond Park there is no direct transport link into Bushy Park."
The vast majority of the traffic in Bushy Park and Richmond Park is caused by people driving through them. It is misguided to charge those residents that are using the park for the purposes for which the parks were created - sport, recreation and community activity - in an attempt to discourage car drivers from using them as thoroughfares.
At a time when family budgets are hard pressed, activities that can be pursued for free are particularly important. The Labour government has done a huge amount to improve access to green spaces and make culture and sport more accessible, such as through the abolition of museum entry charges. These efforts have been undermined by the Liberals in Richmond and Twickenham who have refused to take the money made available by the Labour government to provide free swimming to children across the borough.
Given the strength of community feeling and our objective of helping people live active and healthier lives, we ask you to re-consider the decision to impose parking charges in Bushy Park and Richmond Park.
Your sincerely
Brian Tomlinson (PPC for Twickenham)
www.briantomlinson.org.uk, briantomlinsonlabour@gmail.com
Eleanor Tunnicliffe (PPC for Richmond Park)
www.etunnicliffe.co.uk, eleanor@etunnicliffe.co.uk
07531 588204