Car park charges to be introduced in national park

Forestry England said more money was needed to help repair New Forest car parks

Charges are set to be introduced to use car parks in the New Forest, Forestry England (FE) has confirmed.

Parking in the 130 car parks in the national park is currently free, but charges beginning at £1.50 per hour will be put in place in the spring.

FE, which manages the forest's Crown lands, said it was necessary because of increasing costs in repairing car parks and trails.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) said there were "unanswered questions" over how the revenue would be spent.

It also raised concerns over the environmental impact of people parking outside designated car parks.

FE already charges for parking at other forests it manages elsewhere.

It said caring for the New Forest had become "increasingly expensive", with the price of materials needed to maintain car parks increasing by more than 50% over the last three years.

Increased use and prolonged bad weather had damaged trails and car parks, it said.

FE said the extra revenue would avoid closures of car parks and trails and "significantly boost" the numbers of rangers on patrol in the forest.

Craig Harrison, forest management director for FE in the south of England, said: "This vital work is no longer affordable given rising prices and visitor numbers.

"Charging for car parking will play an important role in us being able to continue to look after this precious landscape."

Deputy chair of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) Victoria Mander called on FE to "be clearer about where the money will go".

She also raised worries about visitors parking on verges and land away from other to avoid paying the charges.

"We are concerned that people will try to park elsewhere, which could have major impacts on wildlife, habitats, local communities and the working Forest," she said.

"We have advised that robust measures will need to be in place before the scheme starts."

Deborah Cole uses the car parks for her dog-walking business

Among users of the currently free carpark at Deerleap, near Ashurst, Ben Gibbs had stopped to walk his dog on his way to Dorset.

He said he had "no idea" about the planned charges.

"It's a shame to hear - we probably wouldn't have come here at all if there was a charge," he said.

Deborah Cole runs a dog-walking business and said used Deerleap several times a week to exercise groups of dogs.

She said: "We knew it was coming. It does mean I'll have to factor in the extra cost - we're just waiting for more information.

"Potentially it could put prices up for our customers."

Jill Matthews is secretary of the Forest Rambling Club, whose members go on several walks in the forest each week.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was the end the local walking clubs. People simply will not be prepared at the amount they are being expected to pay to leave their car," she said.

"Doctors are always encouraging us to exercise more - but this is a direct disincentive."

New Forest Parking Charges

• Parking prices will start at £1.50 for one hour

• Charges will rise to £3 for two hours, £5 for four hours and £8 for over four hours

• Tickets will be transferrable between all Forestry England car parks in the New Forest within the same day

• Forestry England membership (currently £94 per year) will offer unlimited parking for all New Forest car parks as well as free parking at all FE car parks across England

• Members can register up to two cars (from the same household), but only one car can be parked at any one time