Campaigners Applaud as County Council Scraps Countryside Parking Charges

Published on: 26 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 28 Nov, 2019

Newlands Corner, one of the sites affected.

By Rebecca Curley

local democracy reporter

Surrey councillors have voted unanimously,  amid applause from the public gallery, to scrap countryside parking charges for the county’s commons and heathlands. 
Members of Save Surrey Countryside (SSC) clapped heartily on Tuesday (November 26) as the county council cabinet agreed the controversial charges would end in April next year. 

After the meeting, Sally Blake, SSC co-director, said: “We are very pleased. There was a huge reduction in people going to the countryside from the data we got.”

Julie Brown, John Oliver and Sally Blake at Surrey County Council cabinet: photo Rebecca Curley.

Group member John Oliver said: “They are simply doing now what we have said about the effect to health and wellbeing.” The group has been campaigning for four years to reverse the policy.

The charging in 15 of 30 car-parks was introduced in the summer of 2018 to generate money for the Countryside Estates. But that provoked a huge backlash, with public petitions and questions at council meetings.

Although figures show an overall net income of £61,000, to set up the scheme and install parking machines cost about £300,000, meaning the council has spent £240,000 more than it has made.

SSC was set up after residents realised the charges were affecting elderly people and those on low income who stopped visiting the commons and heathlands.

Council leader Tim Oliver told the meeting the council was now in a better financial situation, allowing them to make choices such as not continuing with the charges.

Among those voting to scrap the charges was Cllr Mike Goodman, (Con, Bagshot, Windlesham and Chobham), the lead cabinet member seeing through the unpopular policy.

“When we brought this in to cabinet in 2018 it was a different world we were in with finances,” he said.

“But the reason we did this was a long passion of mine to support and enhance the countryside for future generations. With our change in circumstances, things are different and I believe this is the time to not charge.”

Cllr Hazel Watson, (Lib Dem, Dorking Hills), who campaigned to have the fees scrapped, said the consequences were predictable.

“Charging at these car-parks proved to be very unpopular,” she added. “The consequence was that some residents ceased visiting the countryside estate while others parked on nearby residential roads or verges to avoid the charges.

“The countryside is there to be enjoyed by visitors. Not deterred by charges.”

The machines will stay in place and charging will continue until April 2020, when season tickets expire. A voluntary payment scheme will be introduced for those who do want to pay.

A decision on charging at Newlands Corner is still being discussed due to the agreement with Albury Estate, the landlord. The estate retains the right to continue to charge for visitors “should it wish”, council papers state.

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