By Community Correspondent Richard Sharp

On Friday 5th July the Tourist and Heritage Minister, John Penrose, announced that the Bushy Park car parking charges proposal by The Royal Parks was to be scrapped. That was the news that the members of The Friends of Bushy and Home Parks and the Keep Bushy Park Free Alliance have been working and waiting for.

The campaign against the plan began early in 2009 as soon as The Royal Parks issued their consultation document. In March a rally in Bushy Park was led by Dr.

target="_blank">Vincent Cable MP. The Twickenham MP has supported the campaign throughout. In April 6,500 signatures were collected in a petition against the proposals. It was handed in to the Royal Parks Headquarters in Hyde Park by Vincent Cable. There had been meetings with Royal Parks executives and the previous minister to make them aware of The Friends of Bushy and Home Parks’ objections. In January 2010 there was a rally in Richmond Park with all the local MPs and many councillors along with an estimated 1,500 concerned park users. In March this year a proposal in the House of Lords failed to quash the plans. There were promises by both parties now in the coalition government that they would cancel the plans if they came to power. They have now done so and all those involved in the campaign can congratulate themselves on a good victory for the community.

Chairman of The Keep Bushy Park Free Alliance, Pieter Morpurgo said, “At times it did feel as though we were fighting a losing battle, but all those who worked so hard, whether organising rallies and meetings or gathering signatures for the petition should feel delighted that all the hard work has been worthwhile. Bushy Park will remain free. There will be no parking charges. This is the result we wanted. Very many thanks to everyone who gave us so much support and encouragement with the campaign and all those who worked so hard to achieve this result.”

“We, of course, understand that additional funding will need to be found, as budget cutbacks are affecting Royal Parks in line with all other similar bodies. Our offer to work with Royal Parks on alternative ways of raising money is being considered.”

Annie Murray, Vice Chair of the FB&HP went on to say, “ I would like to add my own personal thanks to all the people who supported us along the way, I have rarely encountered such passion and determination. I am delighted that we were able to achieve this result against all odds and to realise that it is indeed possible to influence decision making within our local communities.”