Controversial parking charges introduced at Norwich's Eaton Park
It will now cost at least £2 to park close to the popular city park
Controversial parking charges at one of the most popular parks in Norwich come into force today.
Visitors to Eaton Park will have to fork out £2 for a four hour visit, with a £40 pass available for six months, or a £70 season ticket for a whole year.
Norwich City Council has introduced charges as it tries to close a £6.2m budget black hole. It put the idea through a two stage public consultation, finishing earlier this year.
Norwich City Councillor Adam Giles said: “We know how popular Eaton Park is and we hope that many people will be able to walk or travel there by other sustainable means.
“For those who do need to park, we have responded to feedback from the public consultation, keeping costs low and introducing a season ticket option and a 15-minute free period for families to drop off or pick up children who are doing activities in the park.”
Payment machines have been installed and parking on neighbouring streets will be monitored.
The machines will only accept card payments.
The move was criticised by opposition councillors, who called it unfair on local residents and questioned the expense of installing bollards, pay machines and other infrastructure.
Lib Dem councillors previously warned the fees could see parents not taking their children to football practice, walkers not using the cafe and the tennis courts going unused.
James Wright, the leader of the group, told the council that 91% of respondents to a recent consultation had objected to the fees being introduced, calling it an “overwhelming voice against the scheme from the public”.