Contactless ticket machines are among upgrades planned for car parks run by Exmoor National Park Authority.

The decision comes amid mounting pressure for national parks to dial up their response to the climate and nature crises and, as the pandemic deepens, to manage unprecedented visitor numbers.

It costs Exmoor National Park £100,000 a year to maintain the ten car parks and nine public toilets it owns – but there has been a 44 per cent drop in funding from central Government for national parks since 2011.

The introduction of ticket machines at Tarr Steps and Valley of Rocks more than a decade ago has helped increase income, but not enough to cover these costs.

Dan Barnett, the park authority’s access and recreation manager, said contactless ticket payments plus more parking capacity could double the income.

Ashcombe car park in Simonsbath will be the first to undergo work, where £37,000 of essential maintenance is needed to renovate the toilet block.

It is estimated that up to £10,000 could be raised annually there with the installation of a contactless ticket machine charging a fee of £2 per half-day or £3 per day (10am-6pm) – the current cash cairn system raises only £1,000 annually.

All income generated would go towards maintaining car parks and toilets and helping fund the national park’s core education, access and conservation work.

Francis Schott, chairman of Exmoor Parish Council, said: “The parish council understands the dilemma facing the national park and, like them, we want to ensure a safe, pleasant stay for visitors, with the level of facilities one could reasonably expect.

“In Simonsbath, the national park has among other things, funded and installed a wonderful accessible trail out on the Two Moors Way to Wheal Eliza, with all the drama of the Barle Valley, and well-maintained amenities are crucial to ensuring it can be enjoyed by all.

“The national park is also working with the parish council to find additional, safe parking elsewhere in the village to address a pre-existing problem we have with roadside parking.”

Exmoor National Park Authority chief executive Sarah Bryan said the proposal was vital to improving visitor facilities.

“Those who founded our national parks 70 years ago in the wake of two World Wars had a dream they should become, not just cultural symbols, but also places of recovery.

“This summer has seen that vision reawakened as thousands turned to the outdoors to escape the uncertainties of the pandemic.

“On Exmoor we have welcomed old friends and first-time visitors and it’s my passion to ensure that in future our facilities do more to provide a warm welcome and help people get the most from their visit.”