Putney MP Justine Greening has spoken out against the proposed increase of car parking charges in Richmond Park.

The shadow minister for communities and local government has argued that by introducing the charges, the green space would become less affordable to low-income families.

Under the new parking proposals visitors to the park would have to pay £1 per hour they used the car parks.

Walking your dog for an hour every day would cost an additional £365 per year.

Ms Greening said: "My concern is that if we are not careful, Richmond Park, the wonderful park on our doorstep, will end up being the preserve of the rich and the middle classes, and lower-income families and the elderly will simply be priced out.

“That is surely wrong. Surely, for the next generation, we must reduce the barriers to using fantastic parks such as Richmond Park."

The charges would apply whenever the car parks are open plus there would be a maximum stay of six hours in any one car park.

The Royal Parks Agency (RPA) said the fees would encourage visitors to travel to the parks by bike, on foot or by public transport. The new rates would also discourage people from parking in nearby streets.

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