Controversial Parking Charges Planned for Ashenbury Park

Parking charges are coming to Ashenbury Park in Woodley to help pay for its transformation into a country park.

The park, off Tippings Lane, has a car park with approximately 45 spaces that's currently free. Wokingham Borough Council plans a £2.50 all-day parking charge to help pay for recent improvements, including new pathways.

Councillors were briefed by Andy Glencoss, head of environmental services, and Mark Ashwell at a Woodley Town Council planning meeting on July 21.

Mr Glencross said: "We are introducing a small charge, that money will be used to fund that £200,000 investment in the footpaths and the other improvements to the site."

Cllr Ashwell added: "Without the car parking charges coming in to actually pay for these improvements that we put in up front, we wouldn't have been able to do it [the footpath improvements]."

Former mayor David Bragg was heavily critical. He said: "But to charge £2.50 there for people to go and have a leisurely walk around the park taking their dog for a walk is diabolical."

There will be a 15-minute 'grace period' for drop-offs and pick-ups. The Traffic Regulation Order introducing the charges is expected to be published on Wednesday, July 29, followed by a 21-day statutory consultation. The relevant executive member will then make the final decision.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter