Charges for park runs to be banned

COUNCILS are to be banned from charging for park fun runs.

One parish council sparked outrage last year by trying to charge joggers taking part in a Parkrun event £1 each for a run around a village park. It claimed they were damaging footpaths, leading to hefty repair bills.

But last night the Department for Communities and Local Government announced it would legislate to stop all councils charging for running and other events in public parks.

In a policy document, it said: ‘Our public parks and green spaces are places where individuals and groups can go for exercise, to relax, to enjoy being part of the community or to find peace and solitude.’

It added the Government does not consider it ‘appropriate’ to charge organisers of free events in parks, ‘overturning our long-standing convention of free access’.

The document said the proposals will not stop councils charging for facilities such as golf courses and tennis courts.

There was an outcry last year when councillors in Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire, proposed charging organisers of two Parkrun events in Little Stoke Park.

More than 40,000 people signed a petition against the decision, which was criticised by athletes including double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe.