Parking charges and restrictions are to be introduced in Woodstock.

Pay and display bays with exemptions for permit holders, and new permit holder only parking areas will be created.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, approved the measures at his delegated decisions meeting on Thursday May 26.

The decision followed a period of consultation which took place earlier this year.

Over 50 per cent of respondents objected to the introduction of paid parking bays and the feedback on permit-holder parking was variable depending on whether respondents were based in Woodstock or outside.

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The majority of respondents based in Woodstock were supportive of the proposals, with 45 per cent backing the idea.

The responses from the online survey and forms submitted at public exhibitions were not supportive, with 41 per cent in objection.

The council said the changes are aimed at improving the situation for residents, increasing the turnover of parking for businesses, encouraging more short journeys by foot, and improving action against inconsiderate parkers, while generating revenue to fund the scheme and provide effective enforcement.

Cllr Gant said: “These measures are a response to concerns from Woodstock residents over many years that the current system doesn’t work. However, the changes will be kept under review by officers and monitored to see how they operate.”

The changes include:

  • The introduction of three-hour pay and display bays in the central area with exemptions for permit holders. The first hour in any 24 hour period would be free.
  • The introduction of some ultra-short stay (30 minute) parking areas.
  • New permit holder only parking areas. The fee for a resident’s permit is currently £65 a year per vehicle and includes 25 annual scratch cards for visitor parking.
  • Additional parking bays on some roads of between two and three hours.
  • New cycle parking areas.

A further assessment will be undertaken by officers to consider the introduction of permits for visitors to guest houses, hotels and holiday lets within the scheme. This will require further public consultation.

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The council said off-street car parks controlled by West Oxfordshire District Council, which are currently free, will be unaffected by these changes.

Earlier this year, Oxfordshire County Council agreed to take over responsibility from West Oxfordshire District Council for penalising motorists who break the rules in West Oxfordshire in a bid to improve the enforcement process.

When the agreement is formally ended in spring 2023, the county council will manage on-street infringements, such as yellow lines, loading bays and bus lanes, as it already does in Oxford City, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, and the Vale of White Horse districts.

In February, Conservative councillors led a petition to ‘save’ free parking in West Oxfordshire.

County Cllr Liam Walker, shadow cabinet member for highway management, said: "I am really disappointed the new Lib Dem cabinet member for highways has decided to press ahead with their parking charge plan despite the concerns from local residents.

"Both the county council consultation and the Woodstock Town Council poll showed there wasn't support for parking charges. I know respecting a consultation result is hard to swallow for the Liberals but surely these results are crystal clear.

"We have always been proud to have free parking in West Oxfordshire but now within a year of the Liberals taking control of OCC and weeks of taking over WODC they are going back on their promise to bring in parking charges in West Oxfordshire - something they said was all just fake news." 

When the agreement is formally ended in spring 2023, the county council will manage on-street infringements, such as yellow lines, loading bays and bus lanes, as it already does in Oxford City, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, and the Vale of White Horse districts.