Oxford,
27
May
2022
|
08:53
Europe/London

Woodstock parking changes aimed at improving situation for residents and businesses

A residents’ parking scheme, pay and display bays, and other changes for motorists are being brought in for Woodstock.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, approved the measures at his delegated decisions meeting on Thursday 26 May. The decision followed a period of consultation which took place earlier this year.

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.

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.

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