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Visitors to The Look Out Discovery Centre and Coral Reef have hit out at plans to introduce car parking charges
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Opposition to Look Out parking charges

February 29, 2012

Visitors to The Look Out Discovery Centre and Coral Reef have hit out at plans to introduce car parking charges.

Bracknell Forest Council has plans to introduce a pay and display system at both leisure facilities in Nine Mile Ride in its budget proposals as it needs to save £6 million.

Regular walker Nikos Polydorou said he would support an online petition against the plans if one was started.

He added: “I think by introducing these charges they will discourage people from using the place. I think it is unfair as there are people who financially can’t afford the charges.

“It will penalise the people who can least afford it.”

If the plans are given the go-head the council estimates it will need to spend £145,000 out of its capital programme for 2012/13 to 2014/15 to fund the plans and will save £50,000 in the first year.

Crowthorne mum Aoife Bullingham added: “We love The Look Out, my husband runs there on a Sunday morning with friends, I’m usually there twice a week for a long walk in the woods with the kids.

“This will make a difference to my family, we really value having a free resource locally and encourage our children to get out for a ramble as much as possible.

“In a time when the focus is on tight family budgets and more sports for all, doesn’t Bracknell Council want to support free outdoor activities for families?”

The proposals were given the go-ahead by the council’s executive when it met on Tuesday night, and will now be discussed by the full council on Wednesday when a final decision will be made.

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Some people may be considered "local" but still not a reasonable walking distance from the look-out.

I don't think parking charges should be introduced at all... The Look Out is one of the few free places to go with your family and charging for parking could ruin that, and Coral Reef is stupidly expensive as it is.