Parking at Swindon beauty spot more than doubles
The decision to up the prices hasn't gone down well
Last updated 17th Apr 2023
The local council have announced that parking charges at one of Swindon's main beauty hotspots has now more than doubled, something which hasn't gone down well with locals.
From the start of the month is now costs £2.40 to park for up to two hours at Coate Water. That’s a 140 per cent increase on the £1 it was on March 31.
The £4.40 it now costs to park for up to a full 24 hours is a 120 per cent increase.
But Swindon Borough Council has defended the move, arguing they have continued to invest in parks across the area over the past year.
Cabinet member for organisational excellence Dale Heenan says, “In February, both political parties supported increasing Coate Water car parking charges to bring them in line with Lydiard Park.
And the cabinet member for leisure Matty Courtliff added: “We have continued to invest in our parks over the last 12 months with the new flagship accessible play park and restoration of the Grade II-listed diving board at Coate Water, a full renovation of the hotel and conference centre at Lydiard Park and the installation of a Covid memorial sculpture, along with holding regular events for families throughout the year.
“At Coate, we have further plans to replace the Splash Park using a £250,000 budget; expand the catering offer that visitors have demanded, install a sculpture in the remembrance garden, add a barbeque and improve accessibility and footpaths, whilst the play parks at Lydiard will see further equipment added, renewal of the play surfaces and expansion of the tea rooms in the Coach House.