No-fee parking 'cost £870,000'

8:44am Friday 16th May 2008

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COUNTY Hall came under fire last night after figures showed £870,000 of potential revenue had been lost since on-street parking charges were waived.

Oxfordshire County Council introduced free parking in on-street spaces such as Broad Street, St Giles and Beaumont Street in December 2005.

Figures obtained using the Freedom of Information Act, showed that, since then, an average of £30,000 has been forfeited each month - with more traffic coming into the city at peak times.

Yesterday, there were a number of calls to reintroduce fees.

Taxi driver Alan Woodward, who has been driving cabs in Oxford for 28 years, said: "Not only has it harmed our trade, but it's also unpopular, because it works against local people.

"The traffic coming into the city around tea-time is worse and it damages the amount of work we do in the evening.

"It also means the out-of-towners can just drive in and not have to pay a penny, while we're the ones who pay the council tax and have to pay to park if we want to do so in the daytime."

Based on County Hall losing £30,000-a-month in the 29 months between December 2005 and last month, the authority has waived a potential £870,000 in income.

Mr Woodward added: "I think the general feeling is people in Oxford are miffed - the county council has brought in something that only stands to benefit them and those they represent."

Green councillor Sushila Dhall said: "It's an act of aggression against Oxford city by the county council.

"By doing this, they gave themselves and the people they represent the right to drive into our city and park for free. It also hugely undermines what we're trying to do to battle rising air pollution problems in the city."

Newly-elected Green city councillor Matt Morton said: "Obviously it's convenient to have free parking, but it's a huge loss of revenue. I think the charges should be brought back in."

But free on-street parking was welcomed by some.

Jitka Zmatlikova, manager of Bella Pasta, in George Street, said it had helped ensure her restaurant was busy in the evenings.

She said: "We're doing better than last year and last year was better than the year before.

"I'm not exactly sure how much the free parking has helped, but we're definitely busier in the evenings."

Isabella Orlak, of Ask restaurant, said: "It just makes things that little bit easier for our diners, particularly those who come in from out of town for an evening at the cinema or theatre."

No one was available for comment from the county council.