CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to continue their fight against parking charges in Richmond and Bushy parks, as the government gave Royal Parks to the go-ahead to charge visitors to leave their cars.

Culture minister Margaret Hodge granted Royal Parks permission to charge up to £3 per visit, despite huge local opposition, which saw thousands put their name to a petition.

MPs Susan Kramer and Vince Cable have tabled a demand for a debate in parliament on the minister’s order within the next 30 days.

Twickenham MP Vince Cable said: "There is a high level of opposition locally to the charges which are unnecessary, petty, irrelevant to the Royal Parks' objective of reducing through traffic and will undermine the role of the parks as a place of relaxation, where residents are not harried by parking wardens and constantly clock watching.

"We shall use parliamentary procedures to put up as much opposition as we can, but the best way of stopping this proposal now is for both opposition parties to make it clear to the Royal Parks that in the event of a change of government, the decision will be reversed."

John Karter, of the Friends of Richmond Park, said while the group was not entirely against parking charges, they were concerned about the cost and impact of the proposals on nearby streets. "The rates are too high and the cost will be prohibitive for many people – up to £1,000 a year for dog walkers who come to the park twice a fay. We proposed a low cost season ticket for regular park users; this idea has been ignored.

"There will be a large increase in parking in those surrounding streets where parking is free, which will cause major difficulties for local residents. The elimination of a six hour maximum stay will encourage commuters to continue parking in the park for the day."

Pieter Monpurgo of the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks and the Keep Bushy Park Free Alliance said he was disappointed with the decision and urged Ms Hodge to visit the parks and consider alternative methods of raising revenue, such as charging a toll for those driving through.

In a letter to local MPs Ms Hodge defends the charges, saying a disproportionate number of people from higher social groups visit the parks in their cars. She decided not to impose the proposed six hour maximum stay, claiming research suggested this could lead to people parking on nearby streets.

Deputy chief executive of The Royal Parks Colin Buttery said: "At a maximum of £2 a day at Bushy Park and £3 a day at Richmond Park, the charges are similar to the cost of a cup of coffee and compare favourably with car parks locally and at similar amenities."

Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer urged campaigners not to give up their battle. She said: "It is outrageous that the government is choosing to ignore the strength of opposition to these parking plans. There is a long tradition of free access to the park which will be lost if charges are introduced. I am also extremely concerned that the very real worries of residents about displacement of parking onto residential roads have not been taken on board. But the battle is not over yet. I will now be working with colleagues in parliament to try and force a vote on the plans.

"If the charges are introduced, the Liberal Democrats are already committed to trying to reverse the decision after the next general election. We will be seeking this assurance from other political parties as we continue the fight.

"The message I want to give local residents is that the fight is not over yet. I will continue to campaign through every avenue in parliament and outside to stop these charges being introduced."

Richmond Park parliamentary candidate Zac Goldsmith said a protest rally organised for January 30 would still go ahead. He added: "The government has utterly failed to take into account the huge strength of local feeling. Thousands of people signed our petition. Richmond Park is one of the only places left where people can escape the hustle and bustle. That will change with these charges, and there will be many people who cut back on their use of the park to avoid them.

"The rally will absolutely go ahead as planned on January 30th. It is vital that we get a big turn out. I believe we will."

The rally will start at 10.30am on January 30 at Pembroke Lodge.