Coronavirus: Car parks to close at Peterborough’s Ferry Meadows park as garden centre also announces closure

Following the recent Government advice to stay local if getting active outside, Nene Park Trust is closing the car parks at Ferry Meadows from tomorrow (Tuesday 24 March), and is encouraging people not to meet for social gatherings in the park.

In addition to closing the car parks, play areas within the park will also be closed off where it is possible to do so.

The Visitor Centre, Nene Outdoors, the Cafes and all toilet facilities at the park have already closed in response to the Government’s Covid-19 measures.

The park will however remain open to visitors arriving on foot or by bicycle to encourage and maintain a socially distanced approach.

Matthew Bradbury, Chief Executive of Nene Park Trust, said: “We are particularly concerned that visitors are using the Park for social gatherings and for the sake of us all, we would plead with residents not to do this and maintain a responsible and socially-distanced approach at all times. We understand this may well be difficult for some, however we must all do our bit to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

“We recognise that connection with the outdoors is very important to maintain health and wellbeing and so Nene Park will remain open as it always has, but we encourage our local visitors to access the Park either on foot or by bicycle.

“Unfortunately we will be forced to take further closure measures if the Government’s advice is being ignored.

“We continue to thank all our visitors, tenants, staff and volunteers for supporting us through this challenging time. We are stronger by working together, and in doing our bit can ensure we support the national effort in containing this disease.”

The Trust, along with the rest of the outdoor industry, is advising Peterborough residents to:

- Enjoy active outdoor recreation in your local area, while practising good social distancing at all times

- Do not travel to popular tourist areas and reduce the risk of groups gathering in one place

- Stay close to home – consider low risk, familiar activities in local areas, such as a local walk or run.

- Avoid public transport and social gatherings – keep active by travelling on foot or bike

- To the extent that areas of the outdoors remain open, if you can get outside close to home while taking sensible precautions, then please do so. Now, possibly more than ever, staying active is vital to everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing.

The Van Hage Garden Centre has also announced it will not be opening tomorrow.

A spokesman for the centre, near Eye, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are to announce that our Garden Centres are temporarily closing from 5:30pm today (Monday).

“As a big part of the local communities, we have tried to maintain leaving our garden centres open as long as we possibly could, however the responsible and ethical decision now is to close them. This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we hope that our valued customers will understand that this is for the greater good of the community. This does mean that all public events are also cancelled for the foreseeable future.

“We may be closing the garden centre doors, but you can continue to shop online with us – including as many products as we can going forward.

“We are working on several ways to continue serving our community locally including Click & Collect, Home Delivery and Telephone Ordering. These services will be available within the coming days.

“We don’t know when we will reopen but we will, ready to serve our valued customers once again.

“Please do as the government asks with social distancing, take care of your loved ones and your community. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you back to Van Hage garden centres in the future.

“Together, as a community and a country we will get through this.”