New Parkrun parking membership at country park

The operators of a country park have announced a new parking membership for Parkrun attendees, to reduce pay machine queues and "make sure parking discounts are used correctly".

Currently, weekly runners at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough can get discounted £1 parking, but from 1 February a new £45 annual membership is being introduced.

People who do not buy a membership will pay the full parking rate, which is also due to rise next month for all visitors.

Operator, Nene Park Trust, said parking fees were a "vital source of income", as it costs £8,000 a day to manage Ferry Meadows and the wider estate. A Parkrun volunteer told the BBC the new fees were "in-line with charges at other Parkruns".

The core Parkrun volunteers will continue to receive free parking on Saturday mornings, between 07:00 and 12:00.

Other regular park users, including walking groups and those attending fishing events, will also see changes to their parking arrangements, the trust said.

The charity added that it received no regular public funding and depended on income from parking, alongside investments, events, rentals and fundraising, to keep its parks welcoming, well-maintained and accessible.

A spokesperson said: "We're committed to supporting community groups and encouraging health, wellbeing and fitness activity, but parking charges remain a vital source of income for the charity."

A Parkrun volunteer, who did not wish to be named, said the trust was "phenomenal and very supportive" of the group.

They said trying to alleviate the long queues at the machines was a priority.

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