Beauty spot changes parking charge scheme after criticism
PARKING fees at one of county’s best loved tourist spots have changed It now costs drivers less to park their car all day at Crickley Hill Country Park, in Birdlip.
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has installed a new car parking tariff of £2, with visitors able to come and go as many times as they like during the day, and pay at any time before, during, or after their stay using a variety of different methods - including the parking machines, Ringgo app and over the phone.
For regular visitors, GWT’S parking permit prices start at £15 per month and offer unlimited visits without having to pay on the day.
It follows feedback from residents and visitors to Crickley Hill, and will see the charity plan to improve the parking tariff structure currently in place and install signal-boosting equipment to improve the mobile signal to the parking machines.
The parking system at Crickley Hill has faced criticism in the past from visitors who claimed they were fined hundreds of pounds.
Last year Gloucestershire Live experienced first-hand parking at Crickley Hill after criticism on Tripadvisor about the beauty spot’s parking charge system.
Perched high above the city of Gloucester, Crickley Hill is famed for its incredible views over the Severn Vale and leafy beech woodland, ripe for wildflower spotting among limestone grassland and is a much loved wild place.
The wildlife found there has gained national recognition, with more than 1,300 species on record - from rare birds and butterflies, to reptiles and toadstools.
Poppy Hobbs, GWT’S visitor operations manager, said: “We’ve listened to feedback about the car parking system and we want to ensure everyone gets as much enjoyment from their visit as possible, and visitors are able to stay as long as they wish without worry.
“This is why we’ve opted for a simpler tariff and will be installing new signage, to make paying for parking even easier.
“Access to wild places like Crickley is so important for our physical and mental wellbeing, and we hope that the improvements we’re making will encourage more people to get closer to nature and value Gloucestershire’s wildlife.”
Although the trust owns the car parks at Crickley Hill, the nature reserve is managed in partnership with the National Trust, with both charities working together to protect and enhance Crickley’s special wildlife and archaeology for the enjoyment and benefit of current and future generations.
The car park revenue from on-theday parking payments at Crickley Hill goes directly towards caring for the nature reserve and work for wildlife there, meaning that visitors are directly supporting Gloucestershire’s wildlife and wild places.