DRIVERS and businesses in Oxford have been dealt a parking double whammy after it was revealed charges will be imposed at the city’s five park-and-ride sites.

And motorists will now also have to stump up to park on-street in the evenings and Sundays.

The measures are part of Oxfordshire County Council’s bid to cut £155m over the next four years and were announced just two weeks after Oxford City Council said it was to hike fees at its car parks.

The move is set to net the county council an extra £1.6m a year.

County Hall will also axe £2m in bus subsidies – cash that keeps many vital services afloat – but hoped that could be done through renegotiating contracts.

Business leader and spokesman for campaign group Rox, Graham Jones said: “It is not good news at all for businesses in the city centre and they will have to look at what else they can do to remain viable.

“We are looking to councils to encourage growth in the private sector. This goes in the other direction.”

Mr Jones said councils should have discussed the impact of parking charges with traders.

Evening and weekend on-street charges were withdrawn by the county council in 2005 as part of a Conservative election pledge to stimulate the local economy.

Charges at park-and-ride sites were dropped in 2008 when the county took control of all five facilities. In July, County Hall reiterated its commitment to keeping them free.

Council leader Keith Mitchell said he was disappointed the council had to increase charges but added it had no option given the “nation’s parlous financial situation”.

He added: “A pound to go to the park-and-ride for the day is not unreasonable. We don’t think it will deter many people.”

He admitted evening and weekend on-street charges had been dropped to stimulate the city’s economy.

Asked if reintroducing them would dent trade, Mr Mitchell said: “I hope it won’t, but we cannot afford not to do it.”

The leader also said the authority had spoken with other districts, including the city council, before taking its budget decisions.

He added: “We all have the same level of cuts to make.”

Polly Cole, deputy director at Oxford Playhouse theatre, said evening parking charges could hit audience numbers.

She added: “It could affect people’s decision as to whether they come out or not.”

The city council will increase charges at several city and suburban car parks from April, although Saturday charges at the Westgate will be reduced.

The authority will also introduce charges at city parks for the first time.

Oxfordshire County Council is set to agree its budget at a meeting of the full council in February.