Extortionate countryside parking charge hike: Should we have to pay through the nose to enjoy nature?
A local government council in the fairly remote village of Arrochar is planning to increase parking charges from £1 a day to £9 a day – that's almost $12 a day. An increase of 800 percent.
The village and its two large car parks are very popular with daytrippers and hillwalkers, because they are access points for a fantastic range of mountains known as the "Arrochar Alps". They are popular with beginner hillwalkers as well as seasoned "Munro baggers" and offer some of the most exciting climbing routes in the country.
These hills have traditionally been popular with people from all backgrounds and income levels. In the early years of the 20th century the "Narnain boulders" used to shelter walkers and climbers who worked in Glasgow's shipyards through the week and would trek out to the Arrochar Alps at the weekends by bus.
However public transport prices have spiralled over the past couple of decades, and for many people, the most affordable way to reach these hills is by car.
I run a hillwalking group on Meetup.com, and we usually offer each other lifts and split the fuel costs. Although I've climbed all of the hills in the "Arrochar Alps", I like organising group walks there, as they are easily accessible and offer great routes for walkers of all levels, even beginners.
My Meetup group is free of charge, and I make no money from it. There is no way that I can afford to organise a walk that involves a £9 day parking charge!
And I suspect that if the local council gets away with this, the charges will rise – maybe to £20 soon, and that other local councils will follow suit. I worry that Scotland could go the way of Costa Rica, with beauty spots being effectively kept behind a paywall, so that only wealthy honeymooning couples can afford to enjoy them.
There are signs that things could be moving that way. Last year a wild camping ban was imposed on the Loch Lomond national park during the summer months. The reason given was the destruction caused by bonfires and litter – but this is why we have park rangers. People were put on this earth, and we have a right to be here! It's the irresponsible fire-lighting and littering that should be banned, not the camping.
But wild camping is free, and the authorities don't like anything being "free".
I see these exortionate parking charges as a tipping point. People have fought for their right of access to the countryside for decades, centuries – probably time immemorial. Little by little, these rights are being eroded. That's the way I see it.
Thankfully I'm not the only one that feels this way. I recorded this video yesterday, but it was delayed due to technical issues with my tablet. Since then, this story has blown up in the local media.
Yesterday I sent two emails to councillors in this region. One of them was actually actively posting on Facebook yesterday, saying that he shares our concerns, so let's hope he has some clout in this matter.
Another Meetup organiser who wrote to the council received a bland response – from the "Customer Services Centre"! I thought this was extraordinary. Are councils businesses? How naîve I was to think that local government officials were our "public servants"!
That letter says it all. We are the "customers" of our local government.
Further info and media:
"800% parking charge increase shocks hillwalkers"
Anger at 800 per cent hike in car parking charges at Scots mountain range
Guardian report on the Kinder Scout Trespass
My video is at DLive
Wow, that is a huge increase. It's a shame they seem to make it difficult to get out and enjoy the landscapes. One summer I was thinking of going camping for the summer until I realized the campsite would cost more than renting an apartment! :o
They won't get away with it! Yes, some campsites charge the earth – no wonder people often prefer to wildcamp. Luckily I know of a couple of excellent reasonably priced campsites.
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Thanks @steemitworldmap! It's not the typical travelogue post this time, but this is an issue that affects people who travel to this area, so I thought it should go on the map :)
Don't get me started about car parks and charging! You dont have the problems we do with private parking companies as they don't comply there, but council ones are a different matter.
I had to pay a stupid amount to park today for a walk. I will be mentioning it in an article soon. 800% is stupid. Try and park roadside or on a housing estate like I do!
Yes, write that article! We need to create hell about this! How dare they cordon off the countryside for the wealthy and make money out of natural beauty spots?
Another example of governments taking away freedoms from the everyday person. I hope that they don't get away with it...
Not if I have my way they won't! :)
Good for you!
Lovely mountains in the background of your walks. Too bad everything has a price nowadays. One would think the great outdoors should be free or at least reasonable.