Protest Planned Against Controversial Park Charges

Wokingham Borough Council says it needs to introduce parking charges at Ashenbury Park in Woodley to help fund upgrades.

Dog walkers plan a demonstration at 9am on Saturday 8 August against the charge; last years Woodley mayor, councillor David Bragg, called the proposal "diabolical."

Ashenbury Park is a nature reserve on Woodleys eastern edge, used daily for exercise and dog walking. It was once farmland, then gravel extraction and a rubbish tip, before being made into a park with a lake used by birds since at least the 1940s.

The council says it wants to improve footpaths and develop an appropriately sized country park, not turn Ashenbury into another Dinton Pastures.

As part of this, the council is proposing a £2.50 daily parking charge to help pay for the parks management, maintenance and future improvements.

Mark Ashwell, Wokingham Boroughs executive councillor for leisure, said "real creative thinking" had allowed crews to improve footpaths before any charge was introduced.

Work to improve paths is due to finish the week beginning 17 August.

To introduce charges the council must run a traffic regulation order (TRO) and a 21-day consultation. The TRO consultation is expected to go live on Thursday 6 August on the councils TRO webpage.

The council says Ashenbury is a valued local green space and any major improvements would be shaped with residents to protect wildlife and access.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter