Residents are protesting against proposals to increase the minimum charge for parking from £1.70 to £2.50 in the City Council-owned Headington and St Leonard’s Road Car Parks. Some have called this “A tax on Waitrose shoppers.”
Businesses are worried that this hike in charges will deter customers from shopping in Headington, and using its services and restaurants.
The proposals for increased car park charges were published in budget documents released for public consultation by Labour’s City Executive Board on 20th December. (1, 2)
Oxpens minimum parking charges are frozen as it competes with new Westgate parking facilities but suburban car parks face substantial rises.
The proposals are out for public comment until 28th January.
Altaf comments, “Many people are angry. The proposed rise in Headington’s 0-2 hour charge is much higher than in other City Council car parks. I am demanding that the Council withdraws this proposal and thinks again.”
Roz says, “I want to see Headington centre thriving, not priced out! The scale of the increase for 0-2 hours is outrageous. I am advising people to send in their objections to the City Council as soon as possible before the 28th January deadline, there is still time to get this changed.”
There are several ways in which the public can respond to the consultation:
- Sign a petition at Headington Market from 10.00-12.00 on Sat 20 January, also available at various Headington shops including Monaco in Old High Street
- Write comments down in a letter, mark it “Budget Consultation” and send it by 27th January to: Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services, Oxford City Council, First floor St Aldate’s Chambers, OX1 1DS
- Submit comments to the lengthy online consultation at https://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/consult.ti/budget2018/consultationHome
The Chief Executive will attend the next Headington Ward Focus meeting on Tuesday 30th January at the Headington Baptist Church, 98 Old High Street from 6:00-6:30pm
Source documents
(1)
http://mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/documents/s39528/Appendix%207%20Fees%20Charges%2018-19.pdf
(2) http://mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=14878#mgDocuments
Appendix 7 Fees and charges p130
View from former resident very happy to pay £1 for 2hr parking in East Yorkshire.
For many years the charges for parking in Headington were held down to help the local business community. This came from work between local councillors and Headington Business Association. As getting into Headington at all seems to becoming more problematic surly the last thing to be doing at this time with the ironically named Access to Headington is raise the charges in local car parks. This will be another act against local shops and professional businesses trying to keep any sort of community in the area.