Car Parking- Off Street Parking Places Order 2011

Thank you to those of you who commented on the council’s proposals setting out the charges for off-street car parks and the terms and conditions for their use.

Background

The provision of car parks contributes to the achievement of the council’s strategic objective of ‘supporting economic growth’ by helping people to access shops within the towns and some villages.  The car park pricing policy balances the requirement for the car parks to be self financing, with the need to support the local economy.  The policy aims to:

  • encourage people to shop locally;
  • have car park charges that are competitive with car parks provided by others in the district and that are comparable with other neighbouring authorities

Car park fees and charges in South Oxfordshire remain very competitive compared to other similar local authorities.  Low prices for parking continue to support town and village centre vitality and make South Oxfordshire an attractive place to live, work and shop.

The council intends making the South Oxfordshire District Council (Off Street Parking Places) Order.  The Order will set out the charges for the off-street car parks and the terms and conditions relating to their use.

In particular the proposals include the following:

  • allowing parking spaces to be used for business and commercial purposed for £20 a day
  • displaying tickets during all charging periods, even if the first hour is free
  • reducing by half the charge for season tickets and parking permits for low carbon cars

    • We published a notice in the Oxfordshire Times on 24 February 2011 setting out our proposals.  You can see the notice, the draft order and the schedules to the order from the links below.

    What you told us and our response

    On 7 April Cabinet considered the Off Street Parking Places Order and comments received during the consultation.  The Cabinet also heard representations and objections from members of the public. 

    The main objections related to the following:

    • requirement to display a ticket during the free period
    • changes to restrict parking to four hours in Church Road car park, Wheatley
    • use of car parks for commercial purposes.

    In response to residents' concerns at Benson, the council will continue to put its current policy in place as planned to make sure the car park is used appropriately.

    Find out more about what people told us and our response:

    Cabinet agreed that it would like to put the order in place as it is but asked council officers to make sure the council protects residents from possible problems such as nuisance, annoyance or inconvenience caused by use of the car parks for commercial trading.

    What happens next?

    The car parking changes will be subject to independent legal advice regarding the validity of the order.  Once a start date has been agreed we will promote the changes through signs in all car parks, on our website and in publicity in the local media.

    Consultation closed on Friday 18 March 2011

     

    Last reviewed: 20 - 04 - 2011

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