Cark park charges proposed by Exmoor National Park Authority
They've launched a consultation as they look to replace the currently used system of 'recommended contributions'
Last updated 15th Jun 2024
The Exmoor National Park Authority are thinking about introducing car park charges - to replace the recommended contribution system.
Bosses say the idea is to offset the huge costs to maintain them, with current government funding about half of what it was 10 years ago.
The proposed rate at Exford and Haddon Hill would be £3 for 3 hours and £5 for more than that at the car parks at Haddon Hill and Exford.
This proposals form part of a wider scheme for improvements across the Exmoor National Park Authority owned estate, looking at and refreshing everything from dog bin provision, seating and tree-planting to improved signage.
ENPA Access and Recreation Manager Dan Barnett said: “We aim to ensure that all of our car parks and picnic areas provide well-managed ‘gateways’ to Exmoor National Park - welcoming, easy to use spaces, maximising benefits for nature and climate, and providing high quality information to celebrate the locations which they serve.
"At the same time, we are obliged to tackle ongoing financial challenges. In real terms, our current government funding is around half of what it was 10 years ago. Through introducing appropriate charging, we aim to offset some, or all, of the substantial annual cost to maintain them so that we can continue to provide high quality facilities with a sustainable funding model, less reliant on core government funding.
"With this in mind, we have recently introduced an annual parking permit scheme that provides an affordable option for regular users that is transferable across all of our charged car parks. We hope that this along with a sensible charging rate will reduce any potential displacement of parking to less suitable places.”
You can find all the info on our carparking improvement schemes/proposals/public consultation and car park layout plans for Exford here and for Haddon Hill here.
You are urged to get in touch with the Exmoor National Park by July 7, 2023 by emailing the Access and Recreation Manager, Dan Barnett on:
exfordcp@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
haddon@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
You have until July 7, 2023 to have your say on the proposed changes.