RSPB under fire over parking fee plans in Anglesey reserve

[davebutterflyman]

Locals say wildlife charity acting like a ‘corporate monstrosity’ over £5-a-day fee


www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/20/rspb-under-fire-over-parking-charge-plans-in-anglesey-reserve

[CelticSparrow Jan]

If a reserve is free to enter I see no harm in the RSPB charging people to park,most of the money they make is used for wildlife conservation so I would not object to parking fees.

I imagine it would be free for RSPB members anyway

[AnnB]

I think £5/day is about the same as the RSPB charges at other "pay to park" reserves and as Jan says, it is usually free for RSPB members anyway. Unfortunately, it'll only encourage people to try and park on the roadside instead.

[Night Owl.]

I agree, if the reserve is free to enter then I see no problem with charging to park, and the money is put to good use. That's the one downside Ann, people will be parking on the roadside and no doubt other inconvenient places to avoid paying it.

[Pam]

I have no problem with charging non-members for parking (we are members). When we were there in the summer we arrived very early so the car parks were empty but later on there was no room & the roads were a nightmare with people parking everywhere & trying to turn around. Space is very limited. The money is put to good use & things do have to be paid for. Locals should be able to buy a cheaper yearly pass, this scheme is used in many areas of the country.

[davebutterflyman]

I don't think a charge of £5 is a problem at all but, as everyone has rightly pointed out so far, there is limited parking and we wouldn't want to see cars up and down the narrow road on the way up to the reserve. That aside, the charge is very reasonable and you could easily spend a whole day there, not forgetting that there are walks away from the actual reserve centre itself and i know some very good spots for Adder, Grayling and Wall Brown butterflies that are not on the reserve.