LETTER: Parking fees at country park

Places like SCP are community assets which encourage people to be part of a community, enjoy their surroundings and be active.

Putting complicated parking charges/processes can discourage good behaviour and encourage poor behaviour.

Rather than tax at point of use (car park charges etc.) residents should be asked if they would prefer to accept an increase in rates to enjoy free parking at places of community recreation.

Could we consider: moving to a voluntary contribution donation point (where parking meters are), with a suggested donation; or, installing automatic entrance barriers that charge £1 per visit. Operational costs are limited to collection of money. Exit is a separate automatic system.

At present, the payment machines have rarely worked for this year, with the added costs upgrades and maintenance.

The improvements already made to increased parking are good. We need to concentrate on making it work as a community benefit and not a method of raising additional taxes.

Derek Moore

Millfield, Southwater

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