Oxford car parking charges to increase after 'loophole'

Cabinet members at a city council meeting this week agreed to introduce the tariffs at the Bury Knowle, Sunnymead, Headington, and Rose Hill Community Centre car parks.

The council says this change is being implemented to discourage parkers who overstay their welcome.

Car parking in Oxford.

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Speaking at the meeting, Labour councillor Ed Turner said: "The car parks identified essentially present a bit of a loophole.

"Those who would be there for the intended purpose (to use the adjacent facilities) don't have a space."

New parking tariffs - which are additional charges - being introduced range from 90p for zero-one hour at Headington Hill and £15.50 for five to 25 hours at Bury Knowle.

Speaking after the meeting, cabinet member for planning and Labour councillor, Louise Upton, said: "The parking charges are set so that they are low or free for the first hour or two.

"This means that people who need to drive to the facility (whether that's a community centre or park) to use it can do so.

"But, to stop the problem of commuters using these car parks for the whole day, or nearby residents leaving cars there for days at a time, we have made staying longer more expensive.

Louise Upton. (Image: Oxford Mail.)

"If these spots are used as long-stay car parks by commuters or residents, it means there is no space for people who want to walk or play in the park, so we discourage that with higher charges.

"In the case of the Rose Hill Community Centre, we don't want to charge people who are coming to use the community centre for a children's party or a medical appointment, for example, but we had reports that some cars were being left there for extended periods by people who were not using the centre.

"We will be keeping the charges under review, so if any unexpected problems occur, we can look at them again."

Rose Hill Community Centre.

Rose Hill and Iffley ward councillor David Henwood has also weighed in with his thoughts.

The Independent Oxford Alliance representative said: "I think the issue (of people parking for extended periods) is overexaggerated.

"Rather than slapping on fines I think a voucher system would be a good idea.

"I think this is an extension of Labour's war on the car.

David Henwood. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

"I've not been consulted on this and I think I should have been."

Mr Turner, who is the other ward councillor for Rose Hill & Iffley, responded: "This has come from requests from management and users of the community centre, and David's predecessor as ward councillor gave her feedback on proposed charges, as did I. 

"The report implements a long-planned change.

Parked cars in Oxford.

"I'm a bit surprised David is claiming that offering free parking for up to three hours in convenient spaces by the community centre is part of a 'war on the car'."

A full list of the new tariffs can be found on the city council website.