THE Forest of Dean Council has called

on the Forestry Commission to give locals a discount on season tickets for its car parks.

Cllr Max Coborn (Lab, Cinderford East) said a ‘fair’ price for people living in the district would be about £10 instead of the current £30 a year.

He told a meeting of the full council: “I put this motion to council because the Forest of Dean is special and people in the Forest of Dean are special.

“I have lived here all my life and we have a stake in the Forest, we are guardians of the Forest. 

“I think it would be fair for people who live in the district to pay about £10 but that would be negotiable. 

“I know quite a few people who used to pay for a season ticket but who say it keeps going up, so they have stopped and now they park on the verges, which is a danger. 

“The Forestry Commission will soon charge in more areas and you will not be able to take your dogs for a walk without paying.” 

Cllr Richard Boyles (Con, Westbury and Newnham) said the Forestry Commission needed the income but there could be an ‘uplift’ in what it receives if more people bought tickets at a lower price.

He added: “We want to make sure we get as many young people as possible out into this fantastic environment.”

Cllr Bruce Hogan (Lab, Lydbrook and Ruardean) said: “Many people do not have easy access to woodlands.

“It (a discount on parking) would be a huge incentive for them to access the wonderful surroundings we have.”