Traders are being consulted about an end to free parking in Oxford's Broad Street.

At the moment, drivers can park for free for 30 minutes but from March, 24 spaces, including three for disabled, are set to be turned into one-hour-stay, pay-and-display spaces.

At first, some traders were not properly consulted, but the county council has sent them individual letters, and the consultation period has been extended. The transport implementation committee meeting on March 4 is expected to confirm the executive board's recommendation to make the switch.

David Robertson, executive member for transport, said: "It has taken a year to process this but we have been focusing on bringing in residents' parking schemes in a number of different parts of the city."

Graham Jones, of the traders' group Rox (Rescue Oxford), said the majority of traders were in favour of the switch.

"We're also suggesting some additional parking for visitors to the Tourist Information Centre and some extra spaces to the west of the Turl Street junction for free 20 to 30 minute pick-up parking spots for shoppers.

"If it's going to be an hour's parking then you cannot expect that to be free when in other parts of the city you have to pay.

"One or two traders who feel that they would prefer the free parking to remain but the majority are saying an hour's parking is better."

He called for a £1 charge, not £1.50 as it is for other spaces in the city centre.

Broad Street is the focus of a £35,000 study commissioned by the Oxford Preservation Trust into options for improvements.