Forum Topic

Richmond Park Parking Charges

There is a consultation on introducing parking charges in Richmond Park. The suggestion is £1.40 during the week per hour, and £2 per hour at the week-end.The idea is also to restrict driving through the park. Of course, cyclists are exempt!If you want your say please go to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/parkingcharges-consultThe link on the front page of Chiswickw4 is incorrect (at least it was when I tried it....)

John Hickman ● 2245d29 Comments

I don't mind paying to park so long as they make it easy to pay -- i.e. machines should accept notes and cards or payment by phone, and not expect motorist to turn up with the correct change in coins.

Susan Kelly ● 2244d

It would be nice if there was a (daily and regular) bus service, say from Richmond, to a no. of stops within the park. I find that without a car it is too much of an effort to get to the park and then to walk. I need to look into the bus which I believe runs from Richmond to near what was the Star & Garter Home. Does anybody have the details?

Anne England ● 2244d

The 371 goes from Richmond Station to Richmond Gate (Star and Garter). Alternatively The 65 from Richmond Station stops right outside Petersham Gate.

Paul Scullion ● 2244d

You can say that in the consultation as it asks for comments. I have asked for an e-shuttle within the park for those who would like to get a good walk but a ride back to either a parked car or a gate to a bus stop.

Ruth Mayorcas ● 2244d

I see it covers Bushy Park as well. I parked there about ten days ago for a visit to Hampton Court and was pleasantly surprised to find it's still free.What is the aim in introducing charges? The survey doesn't say. No doubt Richmond Council will say it's to cut congestion but it's more likely to be to make money.

Susan Kelly ● 2244d

Unlikely Richmond Council will see any of the revenues as Richmond Park is operated by The Royal Parks.

Paul Scullion ● 2244d

Richmond car parks are the least friendly for pay and display as you have to guess how long you will be there and pay upfront.  If you are out shopping and want to stay longer or are delayed you can’t add to your time.  The ones I use in Kingston are pay on exit.  Much better.

Sarah Felstead ● 2244d

Exactly that. Any money raised will go to the Crown estate.This is about raising revenue.

Stewart Jones ● 2244d

Personally I'd like to see the charges much higher, along with a CPZ in East Sheen, to reduce people going to the park by car full-stop - £2.00 an hour isn't much of a deterrent, and many will just park in the surrounding streets close to the various 'gates' into the park where there isn't a CPZ or the CPZ hours aren't always operational.Although as a former regular cyclist in the park on both a mountain bike and a road bike I never enjoyed it on a road bike due to the sheer number of other cyclists (same, sole reason I don't like riding on the cycle lanes in central London and why I prefer road cycling on a single loop of 30 miles plus), whereas on the mountain bike trail around the perimeter of the park it was far less crowded and did actually feel like a park.The only time I enjoyed cycling in Richmond Park on a road bike was when it was almost deserted because England were playing Iceland in the Euros.

Adam Beamish ● 2244d

I often cycle round the park only because it's the only place where there are some decent hills to climb however oddly it is less enjoyable now there are no cars.Why? Because now there are squads of high speed racing bikes tearing round one after the other with no cars to slow them down.As they race down steep hills bunched together it won't be long before there is another serious accident. A stick in the road or deer crossing will all take.

Adrian Irving ● 2244d

How about an enforced speed limit of 20mph for cyclists and a one pound charge for each circuit of the park for cyclists.

Chris Dakers ● 2244d

If only!When I visit the Isabella Plantation (nice and flat and easy on the crutches) I set my speed limiter to 20mph (so in reality about 17-18 mph).I am routinely overtaken by phalanxes of cyclists.

N V Brooks ● 2244d

I'd find it quite difficult to cycle to the park with my two dogs TBH!

Adam Whittaker ● 2244d

When I'm doing 20mph in Richmond Park on my bike I am routinely overtaken by cars! Hell is other people.

Paul Campbell ● 2244d

Richmond Park is there for all to enjoy. Personally I don't have a problem with paying (a reasonable amount) to park.I find it somewhat invidious though that cyclists feel that the Park is there solely for their use, and they don't appear to be willing to pay for the upkeep.I am quite happy that cars should not be allowed to drive through the Park provided some sort accommodation can be reached for Pen Ponds, Robin Hood and Isabella (sorry, don't know the correct name) car parks. As for one poster extolling the idea of a CPZ at Sheen Gate in order to prevent cars parking outside, that, I am afraid comes over as pure selfishness. Nonetheless, if parking is allowed (at reasonable prices) in the carparks then perhaps....As I said at the beginning of this post, Richmond Park is there for all, not just for an elite few who wish to treat it as their personal velodrome.

John Hickman ● 2244d

No, hell is law-breakers. At least speeding motorists can be identified by the quite regular Royal Parks Constabulary speed traps.

N V Brooks ● 2244d

Just to clarify, I was under the impression that the park was now open to cars again. Is that right?

Susan Kelly ● 2244d

I’ve never seen one get caught and I have had many thousands overtake me over the limit. I’ve never seen a commercial vehicle getting caught for illegal use of the park as a through road either. And I’ve spent a lot of time there. It’s good that the car parking charges are being brought in. I will use those car parks and be happy to pay for them. I would like the route between Kingston gate and Richmond Hill to be closed to motor vehicles so that the park is for people instead of through motorists. Softly softly catch the monkey.

Paul Campbell ● 2244d

The deterrent effect of the RPC vehicles is high, that said we saw a car pulled over three weeks ago as it tried to circumvent the restrictions by Roehampton Gate.

N V Brooks ● 2244d

The speed limit has been enforced on cyclists in the past with fines issued.

Matthew Swain ● 2244d

I have always only cycled on the cycle track with my daughter. It is fantastic      . No need to use the roads.

Steve Taylor ● 2244d

Extremely disappointing to see all the litter in Richmond Park these days left by all the scum who gave just discovered the Park

Steve Taylor ● 2244d

I agree, really 'mucky' in some areas, especially down by the Pen Ponds.

N V Brooks ● 2244d

John, as the person who suggested the introduction of a CPZ outside Sheen Gate, I did so solely because to me it seems likely that if parking within Richmond Park becomes chargeable then increasing amounts of people will park on the unrestricted roads near the entrances to the parks, such as around Sheen Gate.Which to me doesn't seem to benefit anyone, and rather is likely to lead to considerable conflict between traffic, visitors and local residents around such areas.So it isn't pure selfishness, and it's rather laughable to suggest it is given I don't live near Sheen Gate and indeed I don't (after 18 years of doing so) live  anywhere close to Richmond Park, so what does or doesn't happen won't affect me personally at all.

Adam Beamish ● 2244d

New government stats on adherence to speed limits generally. I know Richmond Park has its own enforcement but these stats show that speeding is commonplace and habitual with 86% of drivers breaking the 20mph limit. Most common reason is driving at the speed of other drivers. https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2020/09/08/86-of-motorists-break-20mph-speed-limits-estimates-uk-government/

Paul Campbell ● 2243d

Paul, I agree many motorists creep over the speed limit. An undeniable fact. In the park my experience is they/I creep over by five or so mph but spaced within braking distance.My worry is squads of cyclists pelt round at full speed bunched together which is clearly dangerous.In particular,as I climb up Broomfield Hill, the steepest in the park, I feel unsafe as others bomb down towards me at breakneck speed. A serious accident is inevitable. I just hope they don't crash into me.I have to say I'm the years I have been cycling in the park I can't recall being worried  by the car traffic. No doubt someone will point out the contrary but I speak as I find.

Adrian Irving ● 2243d

Just to be clear last post refers only to Richmond Park.

Adrian Irving ● 2243d

Even 40 odd years ago as a kid I remember whenever we drove through Richmond Park we were always keeping an eye on our speed as it had a reputation for speed enforcement. Can't remember what the speed limit back then was.Richmond Park is 'unusual' in there is a Speed Limit that applies to cycles as well as to motorised vehicles.

Andrew Jones ● 2243d

"the years I have been cycling in the park I can't recall being worried  by the car traffic."Me neither because I cycle on the cycle track. I can't see the attraction of riding on the road and having cars up my bum.

Steve Taylor ● 2243d