Dalkeith Country Park to introduce parking charge following ‘significant increase in visitors’

Plans have been unveiled that will see visitors to Dalkeith Country Park charged for parking in order to pay for upgrades to the Midlothian beauty spot.

The estate, which has seen a significant uplift in visitor numbers since the start of lockdown restrictions last year is introducing a £3 parking fee which will be invested in a programme of upgrades to its car parking facilities, roads and pathways in order to reduce the pressure on parking and other infrastructure.

The plan set out would see Dalkeith Country Park build a new car park and entrance road and some of the pathways will be upgraded to enhance the visitor experience and make the park safer, healthier and more enjoyable.

The new parking fee will be introduced from April 20, 2021.

Remko Plooij, managing director at Dalkeith Country Park, explained: “Like many other outdoor facilities, attractions and spaces around Edinburgh and the Lothians, our car parks, roads and paths have been under pressure since the first lockdown.

“Our car parks and roads were not designed for such high numbers of vehicles and people on a daily basis and are not coping. We will be investing in these facilities and infrastructure and as such will be introducing a modest car parking charge. All funds raised will be reinvested in the Park to create the high standard of quality infrastructure that we believe our visitors should be able to expect from us.”

Dalkeith Country Park recently invested significantly installing a new pedestrian pathway and traffic segregation measures to encourage local visitors from Dalkeith to walk into the park from Town Gate.

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The park is now introducing a £3 parking fee which will be invested in a programme of upgrades

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