Parking will remain free in borough's royal parks (From This Is Local London)

Parking will remain free in Richmond and Bushy parks

4:13pm Tuesday 18th October 2011 in Where I Live By Christine Fleming

Rally: Protesters campaign against parking charges in Richmond Park last year

Park lovers will be pleased to hear parking will continue to remain free in both Richmond and Bushy parks.

The reassurance came following concerns about what would happen when responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Royal Parks is transferred to a new board at the start of 2012.

Mark Camley, chief executive of the Royal Parks Agency, confirmed there were no plans to introduce car parking charges in either Richmond or Bushy Park, despite the impending management restructure.

Councillor Tony Arbour, Richmond’s London Assembly Member, said he was pleased the principle of free parking in the parks would be retained.

He said: “I have long campaigned against any attempt to introduce car parking charges for those using Richmond and Bushy, and this confirmation is fantastic news for those who use and love the parks.

“This commitment is in line with the (London) mayor's desire to maintain the status quo once responsibility for London's Royal Parks is transferred to a board, over which he has powers of appointment.”

The issue of parking charges in Richmond’s flagship Royal Parks has concerned residents since proposals at the start of 2009 which suggested drivers should pay to leave their cars in the park.

Although parking charge plans were finally scrapped in July 2010, visitors were concerned the proposals may be resubmitted following the switch of park management.

As part of a plan to make the Royal Parks more accountable to the general public, a new Royal Parks board is currently being formed with the hope it will come into force at the start of next year.

Partly selected by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the board will consist of 12 members - including one from the royal household.

On Thursday, October 13, Mr Johnson officially named his first appointees to the new board, including four existing board members.

He said: “I am delighted that several members of the current board, including chairman Apurv Bagri, have accepted my invitation to carry on in their roles.

“This means we can take advantage of their extensive experience as we seek to bolster how Londoners can get more involved in the running of these wonderful parks.”