A London Assembly Member is calling on a park in the capital’s north-east to raise more money for itself and free up taxpayer cash.

Conservative James Cleverly, representative for Bexley and Bromley, has urged bosses at Lee Valley Park to become self-sufficient so public funding can be used to improve local areas.

The park’s authority has announced plans to reduce its reliance on residents, said to be £8.5m - but while welcoming the move, Mr Cleverly said more could be done.

He said: “I very much welcome the Lee Valley Park management team making a commitment to run their facilities on a proper commercial basis.

“However, it is isn’t unreasonable for them to work up a business plan that means they no longer need to take £628k from Bexley and Bromley.

“This is money that could be spent on local parks and sports facilities. When both central government and local authorities have to ensure that everything they do wipes its own face, Lee Valley has to do the same.”

An Act of Parliament from 1996 means London councils are among a number in the South East that have to pay a levy to the 10,000-acre site.

The latest figures come following a report called London’s Hidden Charge: Ending the Lee Valley Tax, highlighting the point Londoners with no link or direct benefit are losing out.

It has been reported if the park raised an extra £2.56 from each of its 4.7m annual visitors it would not require any help.