Car Parks At Wimbledon Common To Remain Closed

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Conservators say increased visitor numbers would compromise social distancing

Pic: Google maps

The car parks at Wimbledon and Putney Commons will remain closed despite new Government guidance that people can now drive to exercise.

 

Residents have been assured they will be reopened as soon as the Conservators of the park think it is safe to do so.

 

But it is good news for golfers as the Wimbledon Common Golf Club will reopen on Friday (May 15).

 

It will be open for play with two members of the same household or with one other person from outside your household while practising social distancing. For the first two weeks only, a nine hole course will be available and must be booked in advance.

 

The opening times will be Mondays to Fridays from 8am with the last tee off at 12noon, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7am with the last tee off at 11am.

 

A statement on the Wimbledon and Putney Commons website reads: “Although government advice issued on May 11 permits the public to drive to a destination to exercise, opening the car parks would still compromise the requirement to maintain social distancing, particularly with the high number of visitors we are experiencing, and the likely increase in the number of cars that would be expected.

 

“The car parks will therefore remain closed for the time-being but this will be kept under review.”

 

Previously benches were taped off but will now be available for visitors to use but people are advised to only use a bench with members of their household to maintain social distancing.

 

And between the hours of 9am to 7pm dogs must be kept on leads.

 

This rule was put in place to prevent other dog-owners from having to come within two metres of others to retrieve their dog if it runs off.

By Tara O'Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

 

May 13, 2020