Forum Topic

Another loaded consultation, another 'done' deal

Having just taken a look at the 'consultation' on Parking Charges for Gunnersbury park, the level of loaded questions is a disgrace.They are comparing themselves with National Trust and Heritage England venues seemingly deluded that they are as important and attractive as those locations.It is OUR local park, bequeathed in covenant and trust to the people of Ealing, Acton and Brentford.It is funded one way or another through our taxes and yes, for far too long, it has been badly neglected by the ineptness of governance by it's custodians.But what have we now?  Buildings, new facilities, Yes. But way overdue, by a generation.But now, also not terribly affordable to the local populous.I usually cycle there. Take the car if  carting older or younger people or meeting friends and going on somewhere.Still, the the important fundamentals, like the  pathways are still awful making it poor for elderly walkers and toddlers and cyclists.Nor is the park easy to access for a quick visit.But to charge for the car park and justify it by comparing to venues that are not the same and not asking indeed, whether the charges are acceptable in any mode.There is even an inference that disabled badge holders will also be charged.No local residents of either borough over 60 should be charged at all.The car parks is almost deserted during the week. A hourly charge will hit the sports players as most games are 90 mins plus preparation and changing times so thats 2-3 hours.So where is the consultation question off whether to charge at weekends or when events are held?Maybe the cost of this form of managing this park in such a way is to high to be justified.Screwing the local people who support it on top of what all of us pay for whether we use it or not is completely wrong.It is a Public Open space free to use. Parking is part of that.  If it were stuffed full of vehicles 7 days a week and only 4 people in the place then maybe a different matter but it is not.As with Osterley Park which is now near deserted during the week, it now relies on corporate events to keep it's facilities alive. But local people especially the elderly are staying way as these charges left right and centre are not affordable.This is just like a TfL consultation.  Pointless as it is clearly already a done deal with everything in place.Shameful and contemptuous to all local residents of both Boroughs

Raymond Havelock ● 2143d4 Comments

Please post this on the Ealing website where there is another thread.

Philippa Bond ● 2139d

Thank you Valerie for that clarification, that is in part correct, it was indeed purchased but complete with strings attached. And to that effect there is a covenant, which extends beyond the Park and is how the Trees estate came to being.Part of the deal is it must remain a free for access park for all.Last time I went to Gunnersbury Park meeting that remained the case although there are those who want that unpicked to allow development on the Park perimeters

Raymond Havelock ● 2142d

I'd like to point out that I was one of the volunteers who on a daily basis patrolled the Chiswick Park car-park which was supposed to packed full of commuters.  I can tell you it was NOT, that Park is not conveniently close to a bus stop quite apart from any underground or mainline station.  Its entrance is on the A4.  Am not familiar with the car parking facilities at Gunnersbury Park but is that really full of commuters???  Must say I avoid Osterley Park now because of the car parking charges.

Jennifer Selig ● 2143d

Just a note to say that the Park was not bequeathed but purchased in the 1920s by the then boroughs of Ealing and Acton. Reports to the relevant council committees at that time indicated that income from sports facilities and catering etc would cover the whole cost of running it but they never did. Nearly a century later huge sums of capital have been found to put Gunnersbury into good heart again, but finding the running costs is much harder when government has been cutting funding to local authorities so hard since 2010. Charges are probably inevitable, not just to earn income but also to prevent the pattern of long-stay free parking as had to happen at Chiswick House. While you may not like the approach it is going to be hard to argue with the concept, I am afraid.

Valerie Bott ● 2143d