Upton Country Park car parking prices rise again

BCP Council has defended the new prices, which includes increases of around 30 per cent, as key to the conservation and maintenance of the grounds – while also pushing sustainable travel to the country park.

Parking charges were introduced at Upton Country Park in 2017, with rates of £1.50 for an hour, £3 for two hours, £4.50 hours for four hours and £6 for more than four hours.

Following a small increase in 2020, prices hiked again on October 21. Rates now stand at £2.00 for an hour, £3.50 for up to two hours, £5.00 for up to four hours and £6.50 for over four hours.

Upton Country Park car park (Image: Newsquest)

A season ticket, previously priced at £40, is now priced at £45.

Upton resident Jamie Dunn and others have long called upon BCP Council to reconsider the price increases, but says they now feel “ignored”.

Mr Dunn told the Echo: “The increased charges feel like an extremely big kick in the teeth to local visitors, with what feels like already being sent tumbling to the floor.

“Residential roads around the Upton perimeter have seen an increase in users utilising opportunities to park elsewhere and not pay anything, which can be understood.

“Yet the main, larger, Upton car park can be seen to rarely be at capacity. Sometimes struggling to make half. This is not from last week, but even in the height of summer.

“It is plain and simply wrong and unfair for the public to be expected to pay nearly £7 in order to perhaps spend a day at the park. All within talk of a cost-of-living issue.

Parking problems in Pony Drive near Upton Country Park. Picture: Jamie Dunn

“Many of the public that have enjoyed everything the park has to offer would strongly advise that the new charges are lowered to more respectable amounts, perhaps even removed.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “BCP Council has made significant investment to create a new network of sustainable transport routes, providing safe alternatives to driving.

“Upton Country Park can be reached by foot, cycle, train, and bus.

“This marks the first increase in parking tariffs since 2020 and regular park users can buy a parking season ticket for the equivalent of less than £1 per week. Car park charges support the conservation, maintenance and education programmes at Upton Country Park.

“We shared details of the increase in parking tariffs with key stakeholder groups prior to its implementation and informed visitors via our car park and website a week in advance.”