Parking fees in South Oxfordshire will increase from 01 April this year.
Residents using car parks, run by South Oxfordshire District Council, in Didcot, Goring, Henley, Thame, and Wallingford will see increases of between 20p and 60p to charges for users parking their vehicles depending on how long they park for.
The rise to parking fees and permits was agreed in line with inflation by Cabinet members at a meeting last month. Members also agreed to continue to offer free parking for up to one hour in the district.
The increase was part of an annual review, which looks at the costs of the parking service and considers the impact of increased charges on residents and local businesses.
The extra revenue, which is estimated to be about £70,000, will be used to help maintain the district’s car parks and pay for ongoing costs for the service.
Councillor Sue Cooper, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Nature Recovery at South Oxfordshire District Council, said, “It’s important for our car parking service to cover its own costs, and that’s one of the main reasons we made the difficult decision to put the fees up this year.
“While the cost of parking for over two hours is going up at most of our sites, prices are still very low, and we are still offering the first hour for free to help support local business and to support those residents that cannot avoid driving into town.
“However, we also want to encourage everyone to help tackle climate change by avoiding unnecessary car journeys – and to walk, cycle or use public transport where they can.”
Visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/carparks for more information on the council’s car parks and fees.
