Protests over Discovery Centre parking sparks Facebook group Options

[Iommi]

I see the spread of the parking charges cancer spreads to the outskirts of Thatcham! Perhaps, however, it might help to save the place going to the wall!

People are rallying together to prevent parking charges from being introduced to the popular attraction

[spartacus]

And so those that demand to retain their rights to 'Something For Nothing' will now park in neighbouring residential roads... All to save a measly £1.... COUGH UP YOU TIGHTWADS!!

[x2lls]

And so those that demand to retain their rights to 'Something For Nothing' will now park in neighbouring residential roads... All to save a measly £1.... COUGH UP YOU TIGHTWADS!!

Nothing to do with 'tightwads', especially for those that are low income. It's a prime example of a council seeing something successful and trying to make a buck from it. It's disgraceful.

Just go see the group, 919 members now and some very good comments made too.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?g...GA.438918407..1

[Biker1]

Nothing to do with 'tightwads', especially for those that are low income. It's a prime example of a council seeing something successful and trying to make a buck from it. It's disgraceful.

Just go see the group, 919 members now and some very good comments made too.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?g...GA.438918407..1

Went for a weekend in the Lake District a short while ago and there is nowhere, repeat nowhere, that you do not have to pay to park!

(Often a minimum of £4)

[Iommi]

Went for a weekend in the Lake District a short while ago and there is nowhere, repeat nowhere, that you do not have to pay to park!

(Often a minimum of £4)

Which in one, albeit small way, puts us hitherto, one better than The Lakes!

[Torchy]

Not quite the Lake District, but in the same vein as The Discovery Centre, Coate Water just off Junction 15 has a 56 acre lake, nature reserve, crazy golf and a miniature steam railway on Sundays. And free parking.

[spartacus]

Just go see the group, 919 members now

Probably 800 of them are sad muppets (spotty faced teenagers perhaps?) who would join ANY 'Group' on Facebook if that meant their number of 'friends' was bigger than their mates..... How many live within 20 miles of Thatcham even....... 10%?


Using Facebook to indicate local support is a nonsense..

Mind you, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that my son has joined, Just another one of his many Facebook 'Groups' he is part of for no apparent reason....

But I digress...... Don't get me started on 'the youth of today' and their TV viewing and PC habits... My lad would watch paint drying if it was being shown on the telly........

[x2lls]

Probably 800 of them are sad muppets (spotty faced teenagers perhaps?) who would join ANY 'Group' on Facebook if that meant their number of 'friends' was bigger than their mates..... How many live within 20 miles of Thatcham even....... 10%?


Using Facebook to indicate local support is a nonsense..

As I said previously, a lot of good comments made, and by adults at that.
You may note that the article on NWN states councillors are also using it and have signed up.
In that respect it shows it gets taken seriously.

Ping David Allen:-

If you are watching, can you please give some indication of how seriously such groups are taken?

[Jacklets]

Guess it was inevitable that WBC would give in to the temptation to slap on parking charges for some of their countryside side sites - but all the same it's still shocking that they couldn't see the many people who enjoy the site as nothing more than potential revenue generators.

Seems like they've spent years developing it and encouraging people to use it - and are now prepared to sit back and watch visitor numbers decline - seems absolutely crazy to me.

Surely they should be proud of the fact that it's so popular and not try to penalise those who want to enjoy it as and when they want to - and who often spend money inside anyway - but won't be now.

Sites like that provide a valuable opportunity for all to enjoy the open air, get exercise, become involved with conservation - and have some fun! WBC have now decided to restrict some from having that freedom of access - shame on them.

What "open" sites have they got parking charges planned for next - Snelsmore or Greenham perhaps?

[Guest_Bill1_*]

I hope they change thier mind on this one.

[user23]

I hope they change thier mind on this one.

I suspect that it's needed to keep the place running, or will be given the impending cuts from Central Government.

[Iommi]

This is the thing, when the Government say the age of austerity, they actually mean cutting things that people might need or like. One way to keep things going, though, is to raise money. Hence, parking charges. Sad, but there you go. Blame people that buy houses they can't afford and people that make money out of people that do.

[user23]

This is the thing, when the Government say the age of austerity, they actually mean cutting things that people might need or like. One way to keep things going, though, is to raise money. Hence, parking charges. Sad, but there you go. Blame people that buy houses they can't afford and people that make money out of people that do.

It's all the extras or perks that will be cut, like free parking at one end of the scale right through to perhaps even having to pay a lot more for using libraries, community centres and so on.

[On the edge]

It's all the extras or perks that will be cut, like free parking at one end of the scale right through to perhaps even having to pay a lot more for using libraries, community centres and so on.

Spot on. I don't think many fully appreciate just how bad our financial state is right now. If that isn't bad enough, one of our major sources of funds is now in very serious trouble in the States. The party had to end somewhere.

[Brewmaster]

As I said previously, a lot of good comments made, and by adults at that.
You may note that the article on NWN states councillors are also using it and have signed up.
In that respect it shows it gets taken seriously.

Ping David Allen:-

If you are watching, can you please give some indication of how seriously such groups are taken?

Why David Allen? He is a Newbury town councillor for Greenham and has nothing to do with the Discovery Centre.

[blackdog]

Why David Allen? He is a Newbury town councillor for Greenham and has nothing to do with the Discovery Centre.

David Allen is a town councillor Victoria Ward - though he does live in Greenham Road.

[x2lls]

Why David Allen? He is a Newbury town councillor for Greenham and has nothing to do with the Discovery Centre.

Because as a councillor he is in a position to indicate how seriously public forums are viewed. He participates and has a positive attitude.

[JeffG]

Rather than imposing parking charges (which may drive people away), wouldn't it be a lot more acceptable and pleasant to have a notices in the car park along the line of "We hope you enjoyed your visit and welcome your donation towards the upkeep of the centre". That way you are making people who can afford it feel guilty if they don't donate something. Those who would be too thick-skinned to feel guilty are unlikely to be the same people that visit a nature reserve.

I also think it would raise more money without the cost of enforcement. Cynics may disagree.

[Bofem]

Isn't this charge to prop up the dismal green meanies?

[Jacklets]

Rather than imposing parking charges (which may drive people away), wouldn't it be a lot more acceptable and pleasant to have a notices in the car park along the line of "We hope you enjoyed your visit and welcome your donation towards the upkeep of the centre". That way you are making people who can afford it feel guilty if they don't donate something. Those who would be too thick-skinned to feel guilty are unlikely to be the same people that visit a nature reserve.

I also think it would raise more money without the cost of enforcement. Cynics may disagree.

Excellent idea - but seems far too sensible and fair for WBC to consider!