Vince Cable

Vincent Cable MP is to meet the Head of Royal Parks to discuss the proposals for charges in Bushy Park, together with the Friends of Bushy Park. He says: "I am getting strong representations from the local community. The issue is not the charges, per se, though some people feel strongly about the principle. It is more the 'hassle factor'; being unable to relax while out on a walk because of the fear of wardens; the practical problems of organising the correct change when there are no shops nearby.

"I am worried, too, that the economics haven't been thought through. The Royal Parks aren't going to make much money from a smallish car park in an isolated park with a dedicated parking staff and low charges. They will be tempted to jack up the charges substantially once they have got the system set up."