Would you pay to park at Gobions Open Space?

Parish council discusses the introduction of fees

The car park at Gobions Open Space
Photograph taken Saturday November 24, 2018

Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons

Councillors on North Mymms Parish Council (NMPC) have been considering the introduction of car parking charges at Gobions Open Space in Brookmans Park, according to council minutes. It's understood the charge, if it ever goes ahead, would not apply to North Mymms residents.

The well-used car park is accessed via Jonas Way off Moffats Lane, and is popular with dog walkers, anglers fishing at Gobions Pond, and walkers visiting Gobions Wood. (Grid Reference: TL 24978 03958).

At 10am on Saturday morning, November 24, there were 16 vehicles parked at Gobions Open Space.

The car park at Gobions Open Space
Photograph taken Saturday November 24, 2018

Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons

However, according to the minutes from the October council meeting of NMPC, a decision about whether or not to start to charge drivers for using the council-owned car park has been deferred.

122. Gobions Car Park Charges 
Discussion took place about car park charges being instigated at Gobions Open Space. There are considerable maintenance costs for this area which is used by multi dog walkers, some of whom use this space irresponsibly. Dog mess continues to be a serious issue and with many children using the area this poses a great risk to health and safety. Users of the space need to focus on how they use the area. A decision to instigate a car park charge was deferred.

"Dog mess continues to be a serious issue" - NMPC

The entry in the minutes also records the concern of NMPC councillors about the behaviour of some dog owners who use Gobions Open Space "irresponsibly" creating a "great risk to health and safety".

Recently the local authority attached leaflets to trees, gate, and posts around Gobions Open Space alerting dog owners that "there is no such thing as the dog poo fairy".

NMPC signs reminding dog owners to clean up after their pets
Image by North Mymms News, released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Would you pay to park in the Gobions car park?

How much would you be prepared to pay to park in the Gobions Open Space car park? Feel free to add your comments below.

There is free parking on the roads surrounding Gobions Open Space, Moffats Open Space, and Gobions Wood, but parking restrictions apply during certain hours.

The next NMPC meeting will be held on Wednesday November 28 at 19:00 at the North Mymms Parish Council offices, 1a Bushwood Close, Welham Green.

Comments on this article via Twitter

I would park somewhere else if it became a paid thing. Then you’ll get problems with more cars in the local area doing the same thing which will then lead to residents permits. Snore!

— Case Eames (@CaseEames) November 24, 2018

The dog poo is down to owners who let their dogs off leads and don't keep an eye on them so don't see them doing the poo. Also dog owners are now urged to stick and flick in the woods by the forestry commission

— Philip todd (@Twobobtodd) November 24, 2018

Not sure what the problem is. Why shouldn't the owners charge people to park? Entrance on foot is free.

— David Neal (@DavidNeal8) November 24, 2018

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