MAJOR concessions have been made in the battle to reinstate free parking at a nature reserve.

Park users were enraged when a £2.50 a day parking charges was introduced at Gunpowder Park, Waltham Abbey Gardens, Clayton Hill, Fishers Green, Hooks Marsh and Cornmill Meadows, all part of Lee Valley Park.

A campaign backed by thousands on social media to have the charges scrapped led the authorities to call a public meeting this afternoon.

It was announced £50 annual permits would be introduced, along with free parking for Blue Badge holders from April.

Anglers using the Fishers Green and Hooks March car park will be able to buy a £20 annual pass.

The £2.50 day charge following an hour of free parking remains.

Green Party campaigner and Waltham Abbey resident Dave Plummer said: "As a Green I would rather use public transport, but it is not up to scratch.

"The charges as they were would have disproportionately affected low income house holds and it affects kid's access to nature.

"We are pleased that this compromised has been reached and I am grateful for the Lee Valley Park authorities for their reasoned approach."

Shaun Dawson, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority chief executive, explained the authority's change of heart.

He said: “We have listened to the strength of feeling from people who clearly love and value Lee Valley Regional Park and we are happy to give Blue Badge holders free parking and make sure that regular visitors have more affordable parking at these six car parks.

“We need to have a sustainable method of funding the award winning open spaces up and down the 26 mile long park and are acutely aware of the pressures which local authorities from across London, Essex and Hertfordshire, who provide part of our revenue, are facing.

"We need to generate funds ourselves to help these sites continue to be first rate habitats for plants and wildlife and places that people want to visit.

“There are more than 4.5 million visits every year to these popular sites which we maintain to the highest standard we can – shown by the many Green Flag and London in Bloom awards the park has been awarded.

“It had always been our intention to review the charges. We have listened to visitors and brought that review forwards and will keep the charges under review. We will implement the changes by late April, but until then all current charges remain in place.

“We acknowledge that we should have provided more information for groups who use the park frequently and have been more aware of their concerns and will ensure that we are better at this in the future.”