I'm not saying whether an admission charge is right or wrong at Titchwell Marsh. But legally there could be problems if any non-member paid any admission charge aa the path at. Tirchwell Marsh is a public footpath and any non-members don't have to pay any admission charge. If anyone took any legal action about this, this could be a problem for thw RSPB. The National Trust had similar problems with the Giant’s Causeway and now have to mention on the entrance sign to the Giants Causeway that any non-members don't have to pay any admission charge. Both Bempton Cliffs and Titchwell Marsh borh had car park charges. But.now both those 2 RSPB reserves charge for any non-members. Despite any reason the RSPB saying why they are now doing this.. It would be interesting legally if any legal action was ever taken by anyone about this. Unless the RSPB mention this on both there entrance signs to both of these two RSPB reserves that non-members don't have to pay an admission charge if they don't want to. Otherwise legally there could be problems!
Regards,
Ian.
Hello Thomo,
It's Lucy from the Titchwell Visitor Operations team here. Thanks for your thoughts on the admission charge, instated in 2020.
You're quite correct that there is a public footpath on a part of the reserve. The charge to non-members is for admission to the whole reserve and use of our facilities, including the car park, permissive paths, toilets, hides and of course the maintenance of the land itself for conservation purposes. This is a legal and standard method of supporting the work that we do. RSPB Members already support our work on reserves, which is why reserve entry is included in the price of membership.
Of course, if a visitor was NOT to use any of our facilities and only the public footpath, then there is no cost to either the visitor or us. We have found that non-members are very happy to support the work we do in the context of the nature and climate emergency, and are very grateful to use our car park and toilets at the very least.
I hope that answers your question, but if you do have anything more specific, drop us a line via titchwell@rspb.org.uk.
Very best regards,
Lucy.
Visitor Operations Manager, RSPB Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham Reserves.