News

5th March 2002

MEP joins campaign to keep open Pen Ponds Car Park in Richmond Park

John Bowis – Conservative Member of the European Parliament for Richmond & the London region – was in Richmond on Saturday 2nd March 2002 to join the campaign to keep open Pen Ponds car park, in Richmond Park. John Bowis joined local people in presenting a petition to GLA Member – Tony Arbour – in opposition to this proposal.

Speaking from Pen Ponds car park John Bowis said, “The proposed closure of both the car park at Pen Ponds and access to the park through Robin Hood Gate is ill thought out and will limit access to Richmond Park. Local people such as Margaret Burn recognise that to close this car park would mean that many elderly people, the disabled and families with young children will no longer be able to enjoy Richmond Park.”

John Bowis continued, “As well as presenting the petition to GLA Member Tony Arbour, I have written to the Secretary of State for Culture - Tessa Jowell – asking her to reverse this proposal. It is of vital importance that the views of local people are listened too before any decision is made about this proposal. By closing this car park, we would effectively be closing Richmond Park to many local people. It is time for common sense to prevail!”