SUNDAY parking charges set to be imposed at St Giles, in the centre of Oxford, have been branded a “tax on going to church” by the clergy.

Five places of worship, with combined congregations of more than 1,500 people, are opposing Oxfordshire County Council’s plans.

The council is set to scrap free parking in city centre streets in the evenings and on Sundays as part of its efforts to balance its books and cut £119m in spending over the next four years.

The authority estimates reintroducing the charges will generate £600,000 in income a year.

But churches around St Giles believe charges, of £4 for up to two hours’ parking in some streets, would be “a serious threat to the work of the institutions”.

The Very Rev Daniel Seward, parish priest of the Oxford Oratory Catholic Church, in Woodstock Road, said: “There should not be a tax on going to church.”

He said the council should instead look to increase income from shops that open on Sundays, instead of penalising churchgoers.

He added: “We’re a congregation of approximately 1,000 people and some of them come from a fair distance.

“This will have a massive impact on them. We pay our taxes and contribute to society – coming to church is part of that. The council should make that possible, rather than put obstacles in the way."

County Hall scrapped parking charges in the area in 2005, to encourage more people to come into the city centre.

There are 360 on-street parking spaces in St Giles and Broad Street.

The Very Rev Dr John O’Connor, prior of Blackfriars Priory, in St Giles, said the places of worship had “considerable social benefit in building up community and networks of care”.

He described the charges as “a serious disincentive” to attending services.

“Our congregation are particularly concerned about it and what I am picking up is how it will affect certain sections of society and the sheer lack of awareness from the county council,” he added.

Both men signed a letter opposing the charges, that was also signed by the Rev Canon Andrew Bunch, the vicar of St Giles’ Church; the Rev Jonathan Baker, principal at Pusey House; and the Rev Peter Groves, parish priest of St Mary Magdalen.

Earlier this month, we reported the Oxford Playhouse theatre’s fears on-street parking charges would hit audience figures.

Council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “Motorists were charged to park on-street in the evening and on Sundays in some areas of Oxford city centre prior to December 2005.

“A decision was taken then to remove these charges in a period when financial times locally and nationally were far better.

“Local government is now having to adjust to the new financial climate the country finds itself in.

“This council is no different and as part of this process, it has no choice but to propose going back to the previous arrangements of having charges throughout the week.

“A public consultation on the proposals is currently under way. A final decision is expected in due course.”

The consultation ends on Thursday next week.