MP wins Ministerial support on Hampton Court

5.11.03

Davey predicts major concessions on charging plan

Following a Westminster meeting with Lord McIntosh, a Minister from the Department of Culture, Media and Sports, Kingston and Surbiton MP, Edward Davey, welcomed ministerial support for many of his arguments against the plans by Hampton Court Palace to charge local residents to walk in the Palace gardens.

Although Ministers no longer have the power to direct the Palace authorities on this matter, Lord McIntosh confirmed to Edward Davey that the Department had made representations expressing the Government's own concerns about the initial proposals. The Minister and the MP both shared similar concerns about the potential effect of such new charges on public access to the gardens.

Edward Davey has been campaigning against the proposed new charges, with his Liberal Democrat colleague, Vince Cable, MP for Twickenham. Constituents of both MPs use the gardens and park not only for leisure but also as the most direct way to walk to work, to friends and even to school.

Many local groups from the Boroughs of Kingston, Elmbridge and Richmond have also been campaigning hard, and Edward Davey said that it was clear from his meeting at Westminster yesterday that their arguments had been taken on board by Ministers.

Commenting, he said:

"I was pleased the Minister was so supportive and listened to our case. "Lord McIntosh appeared as unimpressed as I was by Hampton Court's plan to charge visitors to the gardens, and confirmed that the Secretary of State herself was less than keen.

"The detailed research and legal work done by groups such as the Hampton Court Road Environmental Committee and the Kingston upon Thames Society has certainly been worth it, and they deserve our thanks.
"However, as Hampton Court is now an independent body, the Minister was unable to make any promises on the eventual outcome.

"Nonetheless, the pressure is now on the Palace from all sides. I hope that following this summer's consultation they will think again. I'm not yet confident of a complete U-turn, but I predict the Palace will make a number of concessions. The ball is certainly now in Hampton's court."