The upper car park on Epsom Downs was closed for a time during the Covid-19 lockdown. Now the Jockey Club want to close it until 12 noon every morning. This because increased visitor numbers are raising safety concerns as racehorses train on the Downs.

The Jockey Club recently wrote to local residents encouraging us NOT to visit before 12 noon. They said:

“We are aware of the mental and physical benefits that having green, outdoor space for the local community to use can bring and we are keen to welcome all users of the Downs to continue enjoying them. However, with the increased popularity of the Downs there are concerns   that this will increase the risk of an accident. Please only come and enjoy Epsom and Walton Downs after 12 noon (Monday-Saturday) and after 9.30 on Sunday if you possibly can.”

The car park (or rather the road accessing the carpark) is already closed at night but The Jockey Club, via the Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators, has now applied to Surrey County Council to extend  the closing hours.

The proposed closures are:

1 April to 30 September
Sunday to Friday – 7pm to 12 noon the following day
Saturday – 7pm to 9.30am the following day

1 October to 31 March
Sunday to Friday – 5pm to 12 noon the following day
Saturday – 5pm to 9.30am the following daySunday to Friday – 5pm to 12 noon the following day

The case for the closure is for the health and safety concerns of users of the Downs, both visitors and horses training. There has been an increased number of visitors on the Downs with more people wanting to use outside spaces. Not all are as aware and considerate of the horses as regular visitors. The Jockey Club cites runners with headphones and mountain bike rides being unaware of horses approaching them. They say that Epsom is the only training centre in the UK that is shared with the general public, and this is raising safety concerns.

Epsom is unusual in that although the land is owned by the Jockey Club, it is governed by an Act of Parliament (Epsom & Walton Downs Act 1984). This Act gives the general public right of access for ‘air and exercise’ on foot over the Downs, although racehorse training activity has priority over all other users before midday each day.

This proposal could be seen to be undermining that right but access by foot, although whilst being discouraged in the mornings, it is not being stopped. There might also be increased pressure on the other car parks in the area and on the roads around Tattenham Corner. This could be alleviated  by increasing the space available in the lower carpark beside the Downs Keepers’ Hut.

Surrey County Council is seeking comments from local residents prior to considering this proposal but the consultative period expires on the 3rd February – so if you have any firm views a prompt response is essential.