A PETITION which was launched to save a scheme offering families unlimited access to various attractions in Hampshire has now been signed by more than 1,000 people.

The Keep the Culture-all Pass petition was set up on change.org after Hampshire County Council announced that it was discontinuing the successful and popular pass, which allows families access to nine attractions, including museums and country parks, for £75 a year.

As reported in The Gazette, hundreds of people have joined a Facebook group calling on the council to reconsider its decision to scrap the scheme on January 9.

Nearly 4,000 people bought the £75 Culture-all Passports last year from Hampshire County Council.

The scheme won an award in 2010 when it scooped first prize in the ‘best new product or range’ category at the Association for Cultural Enterprises annual awards, beating off competition from national museums and institutions, including many of the large London museums.

There has been some confusion as to why the council has decided to discontinue the passports, with Councillor Keith Chapman, executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, saying that “membership schemes offered by individual attractions offer the most comprehensive range of options for families, couples and individuals.”

However, as pointed out by The Gazette, a family of two adults and two children looking to buy annual membership to less than half of the nine attractions included in the scheme, would have to pay over three times the £75 cost of the Culture-all Passport.

Helen Hardy, who set up the petition, said: “The response has been tremendous.

“It’s been so badly handled by Hampshire County Council. Many people have lost out renewing because they were not notified by letter or email and these are existing members.”

Louise Payne, communications officer at HCC, said: “If a petition is ongoing, then when these people are in a position to present that petition to Cllr Chapman, I’m sure he would wish to take that into consideration.”