A POPULAR community attraction has been forced to introduce car parking charges after problems with motorists taking advantage of the site and leaving their cars all day.

The introduction of fees at the Station, Richmond, has been announced by the charity that runs it, the Richmond Buildings Preservation Trust, and Richmondshire Leisure Trust, which runs the neighbouring swimming pool and gym.

The trusts have proposed to charge 50p for two hours, and £1 for four hours in all three parking areas in the station yard.

However, there is also an option to buy an annual permit for £12, allowing for four hours parking a day throughout the year – and there will also be a 15 minute grace period of free parking, which will be monitored.

The charge period will start at 8am and end at 4pm – so those who use the gym, cinema and swimming pool in the evening will not be affected.

The Station manager, Eileen Halliday, said she hoped regular customers, leisure users and visitors would understand the need to start charging.

She said: “There are about 20 cars that park all day, every day in the car park and that means other visitors can’t get a space.

“We want to maximise the throughput of cars as cost effectively as possible and we think the tariff is fair.

“The 15-minute free window will allow people to drop children off at the swimming pool, or pop into the Station for cinema tickets or a loaf of bread.”

She added that because it is a private car park, the trusts have the flexibility to waive parking charges on special occasions or event days such as Mother's Day.

The pay and display scheme will start at the end of April, and both RLT and the Station will notify customers when the annual permits are available.

Mrs Halliday added: “Most people who we have spoken to have been quite positive about it – they can see that we need to do it and that it is a fair system.

“I’m very happy to speak to anyone who has any concerns about it.”

In July 2012, the two trusts struck a deal with Richmondshire District Council to buy one parking area, and rent the other two, after council plans to impose parking charges were met with strong opposition from the Station and RLT.