CONTROVERSIAL parking charges could be changed or scrapped following immense public pressure.

Park users have been campaigning ardently since news broke that motorists visiting Lee Valley County Park would have to pay £2.50 a day to park from March 9.

As well as objecting to the charge, many felt the £100 fine slapped on those overstaying their allotted free hour was excessive.

At the end of two weeks of letter writing, petition signing and campaigning online, Lee Valley County Park management look poised to make a concession.

A spokesperson said: “We understand the depth of feeling about the car park charges we have recently introduced and have decided to review elements of the charges, including looking at suggestions which members of the public have made.

“A report exploring options is going to our Board which is meeting on March 22.

“This meeting at our offices in Bulls Cross, Enfield is open to members of the public and starts at 10.30am.”

Even if the charges are changed, a now highly motivated team of park users is unlikely to stop campaigning for change at the 26 mile park however.

Judy Rigby expressed concerns about as yet provisional plans to keep gates at Clayton Hill, Fishers Green, Hooks March and Cornmill Meadows open all night.

She said: “This will be an open invitation to poachers, fly tippers, vandals and all manner of destructive and anti-social behaviour in the dark hours.

“In addition, the concrete blocks placed to deter caravans have been removed from Abbey Gardens and Gunpowder Park. “This is all being done in the name of making savings from not having to lock and unlock gates. “I would think it very likely that all these savings will be eaten up with the additional costs of having to clear up the resulting mess and damage.”

In response to Ms Rigby, the Lee Valley spokesperson said gates at Gunpowder Park and Waltham Abbey Gardens had been left open since charges were introduced in October, with no anti-social behaviour issues recorded.

Of the concrete blocks, the spokesperson said they were: “always a temporary measure and are a defence we always have if required,”