Red-faced councillors had to pull an air quality survey because it included the option of scrapping free parking in West Oxfordshire.

Paid-for parking is widely opposed across the district as it is seen as one of Witney’s great competitive advantages and it is feared it would damage the local economy.

The Lib Dem/Labour/Green coalition council was seeking residents’ views on how to improve air quality in Witney where nitrogen dioxide levels exceed UK government limits in Bridge Street.

But the Air Quality Action Plan attached to the consultation also asked for views on a measure to introduce charges in council-owned public parking.

The council said it was a mistake, apologised and withdrew the survey.

However, opposition councillors claim it showed the council’s long-term 'hidden agenda' is to introduce parking charges.

Conservative county councillor Liam Walker, who represents Hailey, Minster Lovell and Leafield at district level, said: “I think the district survey on wanting to implement parking charges shows the mask has slipped and revealed what some of us have been saying for some time, that the coalition at WODC want to start charging for parking.

"The fact they’ve now closed the air quality survey down to correct this doesn’t mean the campaign to protect free parking is over."

He added: "Bridge Street in Witney continues to breach air quality levels because of the failures of getting the correct infrastructure in Witney.

"The same councillors now pretending they are delivering the Shores Green slip roads are the same people who made the air quality and traffic on Bridge Street worse by campaigning to stop the Cogges Link Road.

"The town desperately needs the Shores Green upgrades and the West End link road which should be included in the plan Witney North and the extra 1,400 homes." 

One resident commented on the Witney Gazette website: "It was only when reaching item 17, in a difficult to navigate document that the 'hidden agenda' introducing paid parking is mentioned. I urge people to voice concern about this. It hasn't been mentioned in election propaganda."

Another wrote: "Surprise surprise! Introduce charges in council-owned public parking. I urge everyone to take this survey, not that it will make the slightest difference to what they councillors have already decided, as proven by the last surveys they asked people to complete."

Coalition councillors have consistently said free parking is not under threat.

In January, deputy leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, Duncan Enright, committed to maintaining free parking at Marriotts Walk shopping centre after it was bought by the council. 

Labour councillor for Witney Central Andrew Coles, who is chair of Witney Traffic Advisory Group, said he is absolutely against public parking charges.

He said: "One issue I have been championing and campaigning for improvements over many years is Witney’s poor air quality and the impact it has on our health, particularly for asthmatics and those with respiratory conditions like myself.

"Years of inaction by and their 10 years of dither and delay over the Shores Green slip roads has left concentrations of nitrogen dioxide far too high and the air quality on Bridge Street exceeding UK government targets and EU legal limits.

"They were also required to have an in place, something they never did. Fortunately the new West Oxfordshire Alliance are taking this important matter seriously and are developing an action plan."

But he added: "One issue I remain absolutely opposed to is the introduction of parking charges in Witney.

"Free car parking is essential to support our local shops and businesses, especially our precious independents, and to sustain our local economy generally."

A council spokesperson said: “The option to charge for parking in Witney has been included in the air quality action plan and questionnaire by error and is being removed.

"The steering group of local organisations who pulled together this survey did not support considering parking charges in Witney. We apologise for any concerns this may have caused.

"The council has no plans to introduce charges in public car parks.”