Forestry England will begin charging for parking at King's Wood near Ashford on 1 October, with Clowes Wood near Whitstable expected to follow soon. Some visitors say fees may deter them, while others say paying could help maintain the woods.
Forestry England’s East District director Dan Whyment said the fees would not generate profit and the money would be reinvested in the forest. Resurfacing a car park costs the organisation £4,000 to £5,000 each time, he said, and fly-tipping also brings cleanup costs. A £96 annual membership allows free parking at all Forestry England sites.
At King's Wood, signs direct drivers to pay by phone and say number-plate recognition cameras will enforce the charges. Some visitors raised concerns about weak phone signal affecting payment; another said people might park on nearby roads, which she considered dangerous.
