Bushy Park was closed to traffic during lockdown but a new petition has been launched to open it back up - especially for vulnerable people.

Here is Charlotte Morris' story that is driving the petition:

"Yesterday my 24 year old daughter wanted to go to the Woodland Gardens in Bushy to see the autumn leaves. This might not sound much, but she is very ill (and has been for 11 years).

"Her illness means she is asleep for approximately 20-21 hours a day (basically awake for meals, baths etc) and she is bed / wheelchair bound. So going to the Woodland Gardens is a HUGE deal.

"It is the only part of Bushy where you can easily push a wheelchair. When she has gone in the past it has always been memorable and exciting for her.

"Yesterday we tried to get there, but, because we can't get to the Woodland Gardens from our side of Bushy and have to drive round the park to get to the Teddington entrance, we failed.

"She was too tired and we had to turn back. It may not seem like much, but the extra 20-30 minutes added to our return car journey mean that my daughter now cannot access the only part of Bushy she could enjoy, often for just 30 minutes at a time."

"We have raised the issue in local groups and found that there are a lot of people in similar situations. Many disabled, ill or elderly people (and their carers) on the Hampton Court side who aren't able to drive far or be away from home for an extra half hour can no longer access the Woodland gardens.

"In addition to the café, the gardens are often the only place in the park where they feel safe walking without fear of tripping, and without dogs or cyclists.

"Others on the Teddington side, for example parents or childminders looking after young children, can't access the playground without driving around the other way, which often makes a "quick trip to the park" impossible when you have to work around meal and nap times, school runs etc.

"Of course the closure also causes other problems which have been highlighted to us. More pollution as commutes are lengthened by having to drive around the park. More traffic congestion on the main roads.

"But if the general opinion is that these issues are worth it to keep the park more exclusively reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, then we ask for a solution to be found that enables fair access to the park facilities for everyone, including the most vulnerable among us."

Now over 200 people has signed the petition to the Royal Parks.

You can sign it yourself HERE