Residents are reminded that from today (Monday 19 November 2012) Rochford District Council has introduced parking charges for the recently improved Hockley Woods car park.
Substantial works have recently been undertaken at the car park to improve it. The car park now has a new surface and increased capacity. Further upgrade works to perimeter fencing will also be completed over the next few weeks.
The new charges are as follows:
Up to 1 hour 20p
Up to 2 hours 40p
Up to 3 hours 60p
Up to 4 hours £1.00
All Day £3.00
Parking is free on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Parking charges apply 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
February 13th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
I understand that you had issues with nearby workers using the car park, however, all you have done is move dog walkers elsewhere. I am sick and tired of dog walkers arriving at Plumberow Mount from 6am and all day long. This road which is by the way is a PRIVATE ROAD, dog walkers are rude and park across people’s driveways and dont pick up their dog shit. So well done in getting your extra money for parking fees but obviously all you have done is upset residents elsewhere. I don’t know how you expect anyone to go to Hockley Woods any more, You have been thoughtless in this process, maybe next time I pick up the dog shit and post it through your council doors and see how you like that.
February 17th, 2013 at 7:47 am
Hi
I understand that people with Business were using the car park and understand that they should be charge but feel that this is unfair for the local people and anyone else coming to go to the woods / park.
I live only a 10 min walk away but because I have 3 children under 5 I have to come by car if its me on my own with them because the path way is to narrow on the woods side.
It’s not easy to cross the road as you come in or out and I find it safer to cross up at Setec.
I feel that the first couple of hours should be Free then after this time the Charges should instead of being low they should be a lot higher as anyone using it for work would be using it all day.
£3.00 a day for them isn’t anything, and that people like myself are paying for them.
Many thanks
Nicola Eaton.
February 27th, 2013 at 5:14 pm
Thank you for your comment on our blog.
One of the reasons for introducing parking charges at Hockley woods was to ensure spaces were available for genuine users of the woods and not full of all day parkers. Parking charges are set very low for shorter stays of only 20p for 1 hour, 40p for 2 hour and 60p for 3 hours. Parking is free at weekends and bank holidays and the charges are only operational from 9am to 6pm weekdays. Having an initial free period of parking is both costly and time consuming to enforce and therefore impractical, hence the first hour charge being just 20p. Dog walkers parking in neighbouring streets at 6am has no relevance to the charges being introduced at Hockley Woods as they are not operational until 9am.
admin
April 15th, 2013 at 11:08 pm
I just felt compelled to write a short note after coming on here to find opening times, and finding that there are now charges in place for parking.
I think it’s absolutely reasonable to charge, especially such a low amount. I visit a couple of times a year and a few pounds is nothing these days… Hockley Woods is a great day out and worth every penny (and more!)
I think it’s quite disgusting how much of a fight people are putting up against this, I guess some people are just tight beyond all belief. Looking forward to seeing the new car park, will be visiting again soon! When the weather warms up at least.