Anger as council becomes first in the UK to charge for free park run
A parish council in South Gloucestershire is to become the first in the UK to charge a group to use one of its parks for a weekend fun run.
Hundreds take part in two free, timed runs organised by Parkrun UK in Little Stoke Park near Bristol.
The put on a 2km run for children and a 5km route for anyone who wants to take part - and until now the runs have been free.
But now Stoke Gifford Parish Council say its unfair to expect non-running residents to pay for the upkeep on the paths, voting by a majority in favour of the charge.
They initially proposed a charge of £1 per runner as a maintenance fee, but has now voted that the volunteer-run organisation should pay.
So far more than 17,000 people have signed a petition to keep the run free and open to all.
Parkrun said it is "extremely disappointed" over the council's decision to impose charges for the run, which has more than 4,000 registered users.
The organisation operates on the basis that runs are open to everyone and are free and says it will have to end the Little Stoke park event rather than charge people.
Since the decision taken at the council meeting last night (13 April), many other running groups and athletes have come out in support of the free running event.
Stoke Gifford Parish Council says that Parkrun are an organised group, and like any other group using the facilities should contribute towards the maintenance.
The council added that 300 runners puts a lot of strain on the paths, and they've received complaints from locals about people parking on the pavement and grass verges.