Protest as Cirencester Park introduces access charge

Protesters have again lined the gates of an estate park as charges are brought in to access it.

Those living near Cirencester Park, owned by the Bathurst family, will now have to pay £10 for a pass.

In an open letter from more than 100 residents, they asked the family to reconsider the changes and allow people to "walk freely" through the area.

Lord Bathurst has previously said the passes will support a restoration project at Cirencester Park.

The introduction of charges was delayed from 15 March following a protest by hundreds of people.

But the automated pedestrian gates were activated earlier.

People holding placards with slogans such as "No fees 4 trees" were outside the historic parkland earlier as they took a stand against the charges.

Local campaigner Henry Snowball said he thinks unhappy residents can "definitely win" if they "keep pushing with momentum".

"If we get enough mobilisation, enough locals come down and we have a broad enough strategy then it is definitely possible that we can push them into backing down on this," Mr Snowball said.

Entry to the park for Cirencester residents in the GL7 postcode is free, but they have to pay £10 for a card to access it via automated gates.

Residents of non-local postcodes will have to pay £50 for an annual household pass or £30 for an individual one.

Alternatively, day passes can be purchased.

Adults can pay £4 for a day's access while entry for a child costs £2.

Julie Yardley and Philip Russ, who did not know about the charges but had arrived to go for a walk at Cirencester Park, told the BBC that it was "a real shame".

"It's a glorious park and was part of Cirencester's heritage and it's been taken away from us," Mr Russ said.

Ms Yardley said the park should be "for everybody".

"Everybody should have access to open spaces and greenery," she said.

"We came out to look because we're thinking of buying in Cirencester and we were having a look to see places where we can take our grandchildren but we won't be paying.

"We'd probably go to a free park."

Speaking to the BBC in March, Lord Bathurst said: "Our point is that the park remains open to the people of Cirencester for a £10 deposit for the foreseeable future. They will still be able to get access into the park.

"£10 is not a lot of money by any standards and it is refundable."

He previously said that the costs of maintenance have risen, and the restoration work that they are doing for conservation "all builds up".

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