MUMS and children are finding it less stressful to shop in Oxford city centre thanks to 32 new dedicated parking spaces at the Westgate car park.

The extra-wide spaces are on the fourth floor of the multi-storey car park, the same level as the entrance to the Westgate Shopping Centre, making it easier for parents to get children, bags and prams in and out of the car.

There were no dedicated parent and child spaces in the car park, which can take more than 1,000 vehicles, until the 32 new bays were created – but they are already proving a hit with families.

Catherine Warrilow, from Abingdon, who was out shopping with two-year-old son Noah, was one of the first to take advantage of the new spaces.

She said: “It’s a massive benefit. Oxford really lacked mother and baby spaces.

“There have been times when I have parked and just couldn’t get the car seat out of the car.

“This will encourage people to use the Westgate as it makes life easier.”

Colin Cook, Oxford City council’s executive member for city development, said: “We hope that these bays will help parents and carers and make it easier for them to park and shop in central Oxford.

“You often need that extra bit of space to get your car doors open and get your children out of the car, especially if you have young children who are still in their first car seat.”

Earlier this month, the city council announced it was anticipating a £700,000 shortfall in its car parking income this year, due to a fall in the number of people using its car parks.

It said it was looking at new ways to stimulate demand and parking charges could be reviewed.

In the first three months of the current financial year, 166,149 people used the Westgate car park, compared with 204,571 in the same period two years ago.

Income from the Westgate fell to £669,072, from £802,788 in the same period in 2009-10.

Last year the council increased its parking charges by an average of 15 per cent in a bid to raise an extra £500,000.

A survey last month found that Oxford was among the most expensive places to park in Britain, coming equal fourth with Reading and Manchester, behind London, Edinburgh and Brighton.