Woodstock residents sign petition against parking fees

Meters and signs are already in place in Woodstock town centre but some residents remain furious that the majority voted against them.

The measures, which are due to go live on June 1, will see the introduction of paid bays and parking permit areas in the town centre.

In a public consultation over 50 per cent objected to the paid parking bays and the feedback on permit-holder parking was variable depending on whether respondents were based in Woodstock or outside.

Resident Stan Scott also called a town poll in May last year on whether parking in the town should be kept free.

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Of those who took part 404 voted against the charges and 54 were in favour.

Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, approved the measures in May 2022.

Long-time resident Henry Lawrence intends to submit a petition with 200 signatures to the county council on Tuesday, demanding a review of the process.

He said: “If these changes come into force not only will this frustrate the majority of Woodstock residents, it will also provide incentive for locals outside of the town to take their business elsewhere.

“If they are going to have to pay in Woodstock then why not travel to somewhere with more parking options or to places remaining free to park.

“It feels as if not only has the county council not listened to the vast majority, but also has not considered the economic and commercial impacts that this will have on Woodstock.

“And this is even more evident as a request was made by Woodstock Town Council for an economic impact survey to be done by Oxford County Council was rejected.”

He added: “The little information given so far, appears to show that it is suggested that those who work in Woodstock but do not live here would be allowed a permit for around 120 days.

“When the average work year contains 260-262 working days this quite simply does not make sense or allow for business owners to park near to their place of work every working day.”

Mr Lawrence called the newly-installed pay meters “eye-sores” and said they should not be allowed “in one of the most photographed towns in the Oxfordshire county”.

He said: “An explanation as to why this was allowed to progress as it has, is required coupled with an immediate review.”

Oxfordshire County 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.

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Regarding the calls for an economic impact survey it said all representations and objections were considered as part of the formal decision making process and approval.

It said the report presented to the council’s cabinet “set out the financial implications for the scheme and in response to calls for further investigation on the businesses in the area, it explained that when considering options to manage on-street parking, there is often concern about the impact that this can have on the economy of town centres and that any increase in the types of control may discourage visitors to the town centre and reduce trade for businesses”.

However, it said, “there is no direct evidence that this is the case and careful kerbside management has proven to support parking for local retail centres in Oxfordshire including Abingdon, Wallingford and Henley-on-Thames”.

A spokesperson added: “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.”