Absence of disabled parking spot at Bource Wood has users feeling blue.

Visitors to Bourne Wood near Farnham have raised concerns over the lack of designated disabled parking spaces. Following the introduction of new parking charges, Forestry England has faced criticism for not allocating specific spots for Blue Badge holders.

Complainant Emlyn Turner expressed frustration, stating, “I’m not asking them to tarmac the car park; what I’m asking them to do is mark out one space with a sign saying ‘disabled only.’ I just feel, as disabled people, we don’t matter, and there is no empathy to the difficulties we face.”

In response, a Forestry England spokesperson explained, “We can’t mark out disabled parking spaces in this forest car park because of its gravel surface and location. We’re not allowed to use tarmac here due to costs and restrictions about materials in sensitive areas. This makes it hard to create clear parking bays, including those for disabled visitors.”

They added, “While we don’t legally have to provide disabled spaces, we believe everyone should be able to access the nation’s forests. We’re testing new ideas in car parks across the country, which we hope to use at Bourne Wood too in the future.”

Local MP Greg Stafford has addressed the issue by contacting DEFRA Secretary Daniel Zeichner, urging steps to encourage Forestry England to introduce disabled parking spaces at the site.

The absence of designated disabled parking at Bourne Wood highlights the ongoing challenges faced by disabled visitors in accessing natural spaces. The community awaits further developments as Forestry England explores potential solutions to enhance accessibility for all.