Opponents of parking charges in Richmond Park have received a massive boost, after a public consultation showed the overwhelming majority were against making people pay to leave their car. The proposal would have ended a tradition of two and a half centuries of free use of the open space if Royal Parks were to push ahead with the controversial plans. A total of 1,986 responses were received during the 13 week consultation, with 84% voting against parking charges. Royal Parks also received five petitions, containing about 13,000 signatures.

Councillor David Cunningham said ‘This shows how strongly people feel. It was absolutely clear they had not given any thought to the effect of parking charges on the congestion of streets outside the park.’
Culture Minister Barbara Follett will be given the report to consider and advise Royal Parks whether or not to ditch the plans.