PLANS to reintroduce car parking charges in a popular Quantock Hills forest walking and picnic spot have angered local residents.

Many took to social media to complain at the proposal for the car park at Great Wood, near Nether Stowey, with some threatening to refuse to pay.

Others said there were places nearby where visitors could park for free instead of using the designated car park, while some acknowledged fees used to be levied before the Covid pandemic and recognised the cost of maintaining the wood’s footpaths and trails.

Forestry England, which owns the land, said parking income was essential to help it look after Great Wood and facilities, such as walking trails, toilets, the picnic area, and the car park itself.

A spokesperson said it was a public body but received less than 20 per cent of its funding from the Government.

They told the Free Press: “To that end, parking charges were in place for a number of years, until repeated vandalism put the payment machines out of action.

“The technical challenges of Great Wood’s location have delayed us putting a replacement system in place.

“The new system currently being installed is cashless, which will hopefully reduce vandalism, and will make sure that the money our visitors pay to park can be reinvested into the forests they love.”

The spokesperson said although new machines were now on site they did not yet accept payment and a ‘go-live’ date had not been agreed.

They said: “the system is still being configured and tested, but charges will come back into effect in the next few weeks.

“We will continue communicating with our visitors about this as we know more.”

The new charges will return at their previous rates of £2 for up to two hours and £3 to cover all day stays, while minibuses with nine or more seats would be charged £4 and coaches £6.

Forestry England also offers membership which includes a year of unlimited parking for £25 for regular visitors which equates to less than 7p per day.

It said there were no ‘immediate plans’ for any other parking charges in Somerset, but it was reviewing places where charges might be appropriate in future.

The spokesperson said: “We will share clear information about any new parking charges and how they will work at the appropriate time.

“As at Great Wood, parking charges are one of the essential ways we generate income that is vital to care for the nation’s forests and the visitor facilities that make them accessible to communities.”

Great Wood contains some ‘majestic’ Douglas firs, which are some of the tallest trees in England at more than 164 feet in height, which is taller than 11 double decker buses.

There are also some ancient oak woodlands, and an extensive network of roads and rides to explore, as well as a waymarked ‘Red Walk’ for a family-friendly meander.

Forestry England also runs Great Wood workshops and activities suitable for all ages.