Richmond and Bushy Park bosses are being urged to drop plans for parking charges after consultation results revealed the strength of opposition.

More than five sixths of respondents (84 per cent) voted against plans to charge drivers up to £3 to use the parks, according to the results of a survey published by Royal Parks – the organisation which looks after the sites - last week. That is on top of seven petitions with a total of nearly 19,000 signatures.

Almost 2,000 people had their say on the proposals during the 13-week consultation, which ended on May 1.

The majority of those voicing their opposition feared the charges would deter visitors and put pressure on parking spaces in surrounding roads.

Others said they were unfair on the poorest users, public transport links were not good enough and parking meters would destroy the peaceful atmosphere in the parks.

Commenting on the results, Twickenham MP Vince Cable said: “I find it difficult to believe the Royal Parks management will proceed with charges in the face of such overwhelming public hostility or that the minister would approve any recommendation to that effect.

“We must however be prepared for the eventuality and for a fresh round of campaigning in the autumn. The local amenity societies led by the Friends of Bushy & Home Parks have done a splendid job mobilising opposition and they deserve to prevail.”

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, urged Royal Parks bosses to 'listen to local people, councils and MPs and scrap these plans altogether'.
Richmond and Kingston councils have already teamed up with Wandsworth to fight the proposals, which were announced in January.

A spokeswoman for Royal Parks said it expected to announce its decision by the end of the year. Of those in favour of parking charges, 56 per cent said the proposed cost was about right but just 41 per cent supported a maximum stay.

A number of people suggested alternative ways of raising revenue, with the most popular being to introduce a road toll for commuters cutting through the parks.

The consultation also revealed that 79 per cent of respondents backed plans to cut the speed limit in Bushy Park from 30 to 20mph.