DISTRICT Councillor Max Coborn has launched a campaign to give Forest of Dean residents preferential rates at Forestry Commission car parks.

He is starting a petition that would allow Foresters to buy a discounted season ticket car park pass for sites like Beechenhurst Centre, Mallards Pike, Cannop Ponds and other popular sites.

“It seems only fair that the people who live in the area get a better deal,” he said. “We have a stake in the Forest and in a way we are its guardians.

“We should be entitled to lower parking charges as people are parking on verges near these sites which not only spoils the verges but creates a traffic hazard.

“At present a season ticket costs £30 but I believe it would be fairer if people who live in the district paid £10.

Currently a Forestry Commission Discovery Pass costs £30 a year offers free parking at Beechenhurst Lodge, Mallards Pike Lake, Cannop Cycle Centre, Symonds Yat Rock and Wenchford.

This compares nationally with a range of fees from £25 a year at Great Wood near Bristol to £55 a year for Grizedale Forest and Whinlatter in the Lake District and £58 a year at Thetford Forest in Norfolk.