Protesters fighting the introduction of parking charges in Richmond Park have been backed by Kingston Council, after they agreed to express their “strong opposition” to the proposals during the council’s executive meeting on April 21.

Camaigner Theresa Laflin, 48, has lived in a house backing on to Warboys Road for the past 13 years.

She said: “That’s encouraging. I almost thought this was a forgone conclusion, but I suppose there’s more power in a united force.”

The council will now invite neighbouring Richmond and Wandsworth to form a joint lobby of the Royal Parks over the charges, which is consulting on introducing fees of up to £3 to park at the site.

The opposition Conservative group also lent their support to the council’s plan, drawing parallels with the cross-borough fight to prevent the closure of the park’s Robin Hood Gate to traffic in 2003.

Fears have also been raised over visitors parking their cars in nearby residential roads rather than paying to enter the park, with Kingston Councillor David Ryder-Mills saying residents in his ward would be in “complete tatters” if the plan was to go ahead.

Campaigners have started their own petition and website, with the public consultation due to finish on May 1.

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