Proposed introduction of

charges for long-stay use of

Thornhill and Water Eaton Park

& Ride sites

The Thornhill site is regularly full by 9am which means that many who wish to use it cannot do so. Approval has been given to expand the Thornhill site and work is due to commence in the autumn. The site is in Green Belt and the extension was approved on condition that it was managed in such a way as to encourage sustainable travel into Oxford – rather than elsewhere – and that there was a limit on the maximum stay allowed for parking.

The County Council is therefore proposing to introduce charging for those who stay beyond 11 hours, which is considered to be the number of hours expected for normal work, business or shopping purposes in Oxford, and to limit the maximum stay at the sites to 72 hours. The proposed charges are as follows:-

• Parking for up to 11 hours                           free
• Parking for between 11 hours and 24 hours – £3
• Parking for between 24 hours and 48 hours – £6
• Parking for between 48 hours and 72 hours – £9

These charges will be waived for disabled Blue Badge holders, cycles and motorcycles. In addition, electric vehicles using the charging points will also not pay.

Payment of the charge will be by using machines at the sites or via the internet or mobile phone – there will be no need to display a ticket on vehicles. The two sites have been equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment which will be used to match number plates of vehicles entering and leaving the sites and so enable the duration of stay to be calculated. If payment is required but has not been made, site staff will find it and issue an Excess Charge Notice (‘parking ticket’); such Notices will also be issued for vehicles that park incorrectly or stay beyond the 72 hours maximum. Each Notice will be for £100, discounted by half if paid within 14 days.

You can register for the consultation here and submit your comments online before 14 September