Stodmarsh NNR April 2009

Grove Ferry car park notice – parking charges

For a number of years we have rented the car park between the road and the Grove Ferry Inn from Kent County Council, to provide car parking for our visitors. The Council contacted us at the end of 2008 indicating that they were going to put in pay and display meters in the rest of their car park at Grove, the section by the toilets, and asking us for our views on charging for the car park we rented.
Nationally Natural Englands’ National Nature Reserves are free and we would have liked to keep the car park at Grove free. Unfortunately KCC took the decision to install a pay and display meter in the car park we rented despite our preference not to have one. Natural England is disappointed with KCCs decision, particularly at a time when we are trying to encourage greater enjoyment of the countryside by the British public. We recognise that this will particularly impact our regular visitors. We have therefore spoken with KCC and understand that the Council operate a season ticket pass which is valid for 1 year and is available via their country parks department at country.parks@kent.gov.uk or by calling 08458 247 600 and currently costs £25 (but will be increased to £30 on 1st May), which should reduce costs a little. This pass is valid for all KCC operated Country Parks.

Dave Rogers – Senior Reserves Manager
Robin Hanson – Reserve Manager Stodmarsh