We recently contacted NYMPA regarding the cost of parking at Cawthorn Roman Camp. Many people have used it for walking their dog and a charge of £3.80 seemed excessive. This is the same charge as Sutton Bank visitor centre where there are many more facilities. We suggested £1 an hour would be more acceptable. This is their reply.
"Thank you for your email and for sharing the concerns of Cropton Parish Council regarding parking charges at Cawthorne Camp. We appreciate you taking the time to outline the issues being experienced locally, particularly in relation to visitor behaviour and the impact on the surrounding verges.
The introduction of parking charges across our sites is necessary to help cover the ongoing costs of managing and maintaining these locations. This includes essential work such as conservation, access improvements, pathway maintenance, ecological management, and the preservation of the site’s significant archaeological and historical features. Although Cawthorne Camp may not have the same visitor facilities as larger sites such as Sutton Bank, it remains a managed and sensitive landscape requiring considerable resource to keep it accessible and in good condition for all to enjoy.
In terms of the current tariff, pricing is standardised across the National Park to ensure a fair and consistent approach. While Cawthorne Camp may appear lower cost in terms of facilities, it is in fact a complex and resource-intensive site to manage, and the income generated plays an important role in supporting both this location and the wider National Park.
We have also noted your suggestion regarding a lower initial charge, which will be considered as part of any future review of our tariffs. However, in our experience, the presence of a charge itself is often the main influencing factor on visitor behaviour, rather than the specific level of the tariff. As such, reducing the cost does not always result in a significant change in parking patterns. For regular users, the cost can be reduced to as little as £2.50 per visit through the use of a permit, which offers a more cost-effective option.
We are pleased to note that visitor numbers to Cawthorne Camp have increased following the recent improvements, which is a positive outcome. However, verge parking remains a safety concern for both visitors and road users. We would encourage the Parish Council to liaise with the relevant local authority to explore potential measures such as verge protection or waiting restrictions, where appropriate.
Thank you again for raising these important points. We will take your comments into account as part of our ongoing review and will provide further updates in due course."