Car parks at Peterborough’s Ferry Meadows and other parks to open

The Government confirmed people can now drive to carry out exercise, meaning the Nene Park Trust can now re-open their car parks. While the parks themselves - including Ferry Meadows - had been open, the car parks remained closed during the first stage of lockdown.

In order to help regulate and manage numbers, parking charges will still apply,and visitors who do not have an annual parking membership will need to use the parking payment machines as they exit. Social distancing markers will be in place at the parking machines along with hand sanitiser, where available.

Staff will be monitoring the car parks and the parks themselves, and visitors have been warned if there are issues with social distancing, the car parks could be closed again in an effort to keep people safe.

A spokesman said: “Car parking spaces will be restricted to help us to manage the number of people arriving by car. We will not be opening our overflow car parks to start with, although we will keep this under review.

“We would still strongly recommend that people only visit the Park by foot or by bike, as this is still the best way to guarantee a sustainable visit to Nene Park. For those arriving by car, we would urge that you think carefully about the time you come so as to avoid peak times (11am-3pm), and try and use other car parks other than Ferry Meadows, such as Thorpe Meadows or Orton Mere. Once our car parks are full, they will be closed and cars will be turned away (both members and non- members).”

Public toilets will also re-open from Wednesday May 13, as will a limited takeaway Café offer from Friday May 15. Until further notice BBQs will not be allowed in the Park and all play areas will remain closed. The Visitor Centre and Nene Outdoors will also remain shut.

Once in the Park, it is absolutely essential that visitors continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines as described here https://www.nenepark.org.uk/news/staying-safe-at-nene-park