THE ROYAL Parks has been slammed by the Greater London Assembly after becoming embroiled in series of controversial community issues across west London.

At Mayor's Question Time, held in City Hall last Wednesday, three assembly members hit out at the body which controls Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Richmond and Regent's Park.

Criticising it as a 'democratically unanswerable' body, assembly members Brian Coleman, Kit Malthouse and Tony Arbour called for a reform of the organisation.

Controversial parking charges in Richmond Park, the closure of a tennis school in Regent's Park, and the prevalence of money-making events in Kensington Gardens and Regent's Park were just some of the issues which were raised in support of major change.

Mayor Boris Johnson said he would talk to new secretary of state for culture Ben Bradshaw about the issue.

However, when quizzed, a spokeswoman for the Royal Parks strongly defended its record. She said: "We are having a consultation into parking charges, which is a fair and democratic process.

"The tennis school site fell into disrepair as planning permission for change was refused, which is a democratic process as well. We also put the money we make back into education about the environment."