Parking charges to go up in city

Car park charges are set to go up in Oxford from next month.

The decision approved by the city council as part of its February budget means charges will rise by at least 5% in the city centre, and up to 11% further out.

The authority said the increases would come into effect on 1 April in most of its car parks.

Permits at Redbridge, Peartree and Seacourt park and rides will also increase.

Oxpens car park will rise from £4.10 to £4.60 for an hour's parking on weekdays.

The 12 to 24-hour duration rises from £29.60 to £30.10.

Other car parks affected include Worcester Street, St Clements, Gloucester Green, Hinksey Park, and Port Meadow.

The Westgate, which is not owned by the council, is not affected.

Graham Jones, of ROX Backing Oxford Businesses, which campaigns for a more welcoming approach for people driving in to the city, told the BBC the charges should have been kept as they were.

He said the council was not taking into account the "bigger consequences" felt by businesses in the city centre.

"They tend to be a little tunnel vision dare I say," he said.

"In Oxford we have a lot of empty premises still. What needs to happen is encouragement."

A spokesperson for Oxford City Council said: "The increases were ratified at the council meeting in February and will come into effect on April 1 in most of the city council car parks.

"There will be no change to charges at the Park and Ride sites apart from the annual permit to park. The Park and Bus combined ticket remains the same price."

It said notices are displayed in all relevant car parks.

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