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Free parking costs city £850,000
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| Councillor Sushila Dhall |
County Hall came under fire last night after figures showed more than £850,000 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 by the Oxford Mail, 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 at the time we went to press.
7:04am Friday 16th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jongo, Oxon on 8:28am Fri 16 May 08
When the good citizens of Oxford venture into the countryside maybe they should pay a toll to use the roads, ie the Queen's Highway in addition to road tax and insurance premium tax fuel duty etc. which is in effect what Mr Woodward and his cronies are suggesting that people entering the city pay.If I take a taxi to get home from the city Mr Woodward and his cronies charge me a premium as soon as they cross the City boundary why should that be? What the councillors of the city fail to see is that Oxford is being given a wide birth by all and sundry because of rstrictions that are being placed on visitors particularly in respect of shopping. It cannot rely on tourists to boost the econony as 85% only visit on organised trips that stay a maximum of 3 hours before proceeding onwards to Blenheim Stratford and the like. I think Oxford seriously needs to reconsider what it wants from visitors to the city.
I was born in the city 67years ago and I used to be proud of that fact but that is no longer the case, which is a great shame.
When the good citizens of Oxford venture into the countryside maybe they should pay a toll to use the roads, ie the Queen's Highway in addition to road tax and insurance premium tax fuel duty etc. which is in effect what Mr Woodward and his cronies are suggesting that people entering the city pay.If I take a taxi to get home from the city Mr Woodward and his cronies charge me a premium as soon as they cross the City boundary why should that be? What the councillors of the city fail to see is that Oxford is being given a wide birth by all and sundry because of rstrictions that are being placed on visitors particularly in respect of shopping. It cannot rely on tourists to boost the econony as 85% only visit on organised trips that stay a maximum of 3 hours before proceeding onwards to Blenheim Stratford and the like. I think Oxford seriously needs to reconsider what it wants from visitors to the city.
I was born in the city 67years ago and I used to be proud of that fact but that is no longer the case, which is a great shame.
Posted by: David, wantage on 9:26am Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Jongo[/bold] wrote:
When the good citizens of Oxford venture into the countryside maybe they should pay a toll to use the roads, ie the Queen's Highway in addition to road tax and insurance premium tax fuel duty etc. which is in effect what Mr Woodward and his cronies are suggesting that people entering the city pay.If I take a taxi to get home from the city Mr Woodward and his cronies charge me a premium as soon as they cross the City boundary why should that be? What the councillors of the city fail to see is that Oxford is being given a wide birth by all and sundry because of rstrictions that are being placed on visitors particularly in respect of shopping. It cannot rely on tourists to boost the econony as 85% only visit on organised trips that stay a maximum of 3 hours before proceeding onwards to Blenheim Stratford and the like. I think Oxford seriously needs to reconsider what it wants from visitors to the city.
I was born in the city 67years ago and I used to be proud of that fact but that is no longer the case, which is a great shame. [/quote] I agree, Jongo. I will not shop in Oxford, due to its anti-car stance. I spend in Reading where my car and I are welcomed with good facilities at reasonable prices.
Jongo wrote:
When the good citizens of Oxford venture into the countryside maybe they should pay a toll to use the roads, ie the Queen's Highway in addition to road tax and insurance premium tax fuel duty etc. which is in effect what Mr Woodward and his cronies are suggesting that people entering the city pay.If I take a taxi to get home from the city Mr Woodward and his cronies charge me a premium as soon as they cross the City boundary why should that be? What the councillors of the city fail to see is that Oxford is being given a wide birth by all and sundry because of rstrictions that are being placed on visitors particularly in respect of shopping. It cannot rely on tourists to boost the econony as 85% only visit on organised trips that stay a maximum of 3 hours before proceeding onwards to Blenheim Stratford and the like. I think Oxford seriously needs to reconsider what it wants from visitors to the city.
I was born in the city 67years ago and I used to be proud of that fact but that is no longer the case, which is a great shame.
I agree, Jongo. I will not shop in Oxford, due to its anti-car stance. I spend in Reading where my car and I are welcomed with good facilities at reasonable prices.
Posted by: Jeremy McKenzie, Oxford on 9:53am Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Jongo[/bold] wrote:
When the good citizens of Oxford venture into the countryside maybe they should pay a toll to use the roads, ie the Queen's Highway in addition to road tax and insurance premium tax fuel duty etc. which is in effect what Mr Woodward and his cronies are suggesting that people entering the city pay.If I take a taxi to get home from the city Mr Woodward and his cronies charge me a premium as soon as they cross the City boundary why should that be? What the councillors of the city fail to see is that Oxford is being given a wide birth by all and sundry because of rstrictions that are being placed on visitors particularly in respect of shopping. It cannot rely on tourists to boost the econony as 85% only visit on organised trips that stay a maximum of 3 hours before proceeding onwards to Blenheim Stratford and the like. I think Oxford seriously needs to reconsider what it wants from visitors to the city.
I was born in the city 67years ago and I used to be proud of that fact but that is no longer the case, which is a great shame. [/quote] I agree, Jongo. I will not shop in Oxford, due to its anti-car stance. I spend in Reading where my car and I are welcomed with good facilities at reasonable prices.[/quote] Good. Pleased to get rid of you, your selfish attitude and your petrol guzzling ways.
Please buy a house and get a job in Reading now so you don't have to waste so much petrol on your romantic breaks with your automobile.
David wrote:
Jongo wrote:
When the good citizens of Oxford venture into the countryside maybe they should pay a toll to use the roads, ie the Queen's Highway in addition to road tax and insurance premium tax fuel duty etc. which is in effect what Mr Woodward and his cronies are suggesting that people entering the city pay.If I take a taxi to get home from the city Mr Woodward and his cronies charge me a premium as soon as they cross the City boundary why should that be? What the councillors of the city fail to see is that Oxford is being given a wide birth by all and sundry because of rstrictions that are being placed on visitors particularly in respect of shopping. It cannot rely on tourists to boost the econony as 85% only visit on organised trips that stay a maximum of 3 hours before proceeding onwards to Blenheim Stratford and the like. I think Oxford seriously needs to reconsider what it wants from visitors to the city.
I was born in the city 67years ago and I used to be proud of that fact but that is no longer the case, which is a great shame.
I agree, Jongo. I will not shop in Oxford, due to its anti-car stance. I spend in Reading where my car and I are welcomed with good facilities at reasonable prices.
Good. Pleased to get rid of you, your selfish attitude and your petrol guzzling ways.
Please buy a house and get a job in Reading now so you don't have to waste so much petrol on your romantic breaks with your automobile.
Posted by: DanOxford on 10:04am Fri 16 May 08
As always in The Oxford Mail, charging Oxford(shire) residents to park in Oxford (even outside their own homes) is seen as some sort of divine right and duty, and 'failure' to screw every last penny out of us is seen as a 'failure' that the Council must come 'under fire' for.
Parking in Oxford is [bold]EXTORTIONATE[/bold] - higher than central London.
As a result, I drive the extra distance to Reading, spend my money there, avoid the stress of driving through Oxford's convoluted one- way systems and [bold]STILL[/bold] save money.
Oxoford is a total waste of time for anyone who doesn't agree wih the Council's 'vision' that a city centre should consist of nothing but cappucino and panini outlets and over priced eateries.
Before the sanctimonious cycling sandalistas start droning on about growing your own sustainable shoes, it's worth mentioning that Oxford's 30,000 student population and vasy swathes of houses of multiple occupancy for social services and economic immigrants leaves little room for local people to live within easy reach of the city centre- let alone those who live further out in the County.
Hopefully the people of Oxford (and England) have had enough of the constant money- grabbing attitude that's been foisted upon us and will start to see the value of having lower charges so that people [bold]CAN[/bold] enjoy an evening at the cinema or in a restaurant, or a Sunday walk around the park.
Oxford's residents are [bold]NOT[/bold] a cash cow for the Council to constantly exploit- they work for [bold]US[/bold] - not the other way .round
As always in The Oxford Mail, charging Oxford(shire) residents to park in Oxford (even outside their own homes) is seen as some sort of divine right and duty, and 'failure' to screw every last penny out of us is seen as a 'failure' that the Council must come 'under fire' for.
Parking in Oxford is
EXTORTIONATE - higher than central London.
As a result, I drive the extra distance to Reading, spend my money there, avoid the stress of driving through Oxford's convoluted one- way systems and
STILL save money.
Oxoford is a total waste of time for anyone who doesn't agree wih the Council's 'vision' that a city centre should consist of nothing but cappucino and panini outlets and over priced eateries.
Before the sanctimonious cycling sandalistas start droning on about growing your own sustainable shoes, it's worth mentioning that Oxford's 30,000 student population and vasy swathes of houses of multiple occupancy for social services and economic immigrants leaves little room for local people to live within easy reach of the city centre- let alone those who live further out in the County.
Hopefully the people of Oxford (and England) have had enough of the constant money- grabbing attitude that's been foisted upon us and will start to see the value of having lower charges so that people
CAN enjoy an evening at the cinema or in a restaurant, or a Sunday walk around the park.
Oxford's residents are
NOT a cash cow for the Council to constantly exploit- they work for
US - not the other way .round
Posted by: John, Oxford on 10:15am Fri 16 May 08
They may have lost out on £850k in free parking, but at least they are going make up some of it by charging the people that already pay their road tax and poll tax to park outside their own homes.
Oh well, sod the locals, at least the tourists are happy.
They may have lost out on £850k in free parking, but at least they are going make up some of it by charging the people that already pay their road tax and poll tax to park outside their own homes.
Oh well, sod the locals, at least the tourists are happy.
Posted by: DanOxford on 10:19am Fri 16 May 08
Posted by: Jeremy McKenzie, Oxford on 9:53am today
[italic]Good. Pleased to get rid of you, your selfish attitude and your petrol guzzling ways.
Please buy a house and get a job in Reading now so you don't have to waste so much petrol on your romantic breaks with your automobile.[/italic]
I actually find it's the sanctimonious cyclists who are selfish.
They have no consideration for the disabled, people with young children, people who have to carry more than a vegan flap jack and copy of 'Socialist Worker' about their daily business, and those Oxfordshire residents who live outside the 'Green' stronghold around East Oxford where a two bedroom house will set you back nearly quarter of a million.
How are high car parking charges in Oxford 'saving the planet' if people simply drive all the way to reading???
Unfortunately we no longer live in a world where men go of to work in the local fields, women stay at home and there's a local baker and butcher within walking distance.
Like religious fundamentalists, 'Green' issue adherents have some valid points, but it's usually buried deeply under a perverse sense of self- denail and masochism and a self- rightious desire to tell the rest of us what to do.
Posted by: Jeremy McKenzie, Oxford on 9:53am today
Good. Pleased to get rid of you, your selfish attitude and your petrol guzzling ways.
Please buy a house and get a job in Reading now so you don't have to waste so much petrol on your romantic breaks with your automobile.
I actually find it's the sanctimonious cyclists who are selfish.
They have no consideration for the disabled, people with young children, people who have to carry more than a vegan flap jack and copy of 'Socialist Worker' about their daily business, and those Oxfordshire residents who live outside the 'Green' stronghold around East Oxford where a two bedroom house will set you back nearly quarter of a million.
How are high car parking charges in Oxford 'saving the planet' if people simply drive all the way to reading???
Unfortunately we no longer live in a world where men go of to work in the local fields, women stay at home and there's a local baker and butcher within walking distance.
Like religious fundamentalists, 'Green' issue adherents have some valid points, but it's usually buried deeply under a perverse sense of self- denail and masochism and a self- rightious desire to tell the rest of us what to do.
Posted by: Tarbatt on 11:06am Fri 16 May 08
DanOxford - [italic]'Before the sanctimonious cycling sandalistas start droning on about growing your own sustainable shoes'[/italic]
Isn't it about time you got some new material mate? You are about as funny as flu.
DanOxford -
'Before the sanctimonious cycling sandalistas start droning on about growing your own sustainable shoes'
Isn't it about time you got some new material mate? You are about as funny as flu.
Posted by: C on 11:36am Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Tarbatt[/bold] wrote:
DanOxford - [italic]'Before the sanctimonious cycling sandalistas start droning on about growing your own sustainable shoes'[/italic]
Isn't it about time you got some new material mate? You are about as funny as flu.[/quote] He has a fair point: the Oxford Greenies are the problem, not the solution.
I must apologise on behalf of all Oxford Mail correspondents that you're not being suitably entertained, however, I didn't realise how important you are.
Tarbatt wrote:
DanOxford - 'Before the sanctimonious cycling sandalistas start droning on about growing your own sustainable shoes'
Isn't it about time you got some new material mate? You are about as funny as flu.
He has a fair point: the Oxford Greenies are the problem, not the solution.
I must apologise on behalf of all Oxford Mail correspondents that you're not being suitably entertained, however, I didn't realise how important you are.
Posted by: DanOxford on 12:01pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Tarbatt[/bold] wrote:
DanOxford - [italic]'Before the sanctimonious cycling sandalistas start droning on about growing your own sustainable shoes'[/italic] Isn't it about time you got some new material mate? You are about as funny as flu.[/quote] So long as the minority communist luddites carp on about how anyone who needs a car in oxford is a selfish, gas guzzling enemy of the Earth, without actually addressing any of the real issues of getting around in 21st century England, I'll be here to counter their nonsense.
Now off you go on your penny farthing and buy some Lemsip Tarbatt.
Tarbatt wrote:
DanOxford - 'Before the sanctimonious cycling sandalistas start droning on about growing your own sustainable shoes' Isn't it about time you got some new material mate? You are about as funny as flu.
So long as the minority communist luddites carp on about how anyone who needs a car in oxford is a selfish, gas guzzling enemy of the Earth, without actually addressing any of the real issues of getting around in 21st century England, I'll be here to counter their nonsense.
Now off you go on your penny farthing and buy some Lemsip Tarbatt.
Posted by: Sid Hunt on 12:52pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote]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."[/quote]
Who appointed him as the Oxford conscience?
Green councillor [quote]Sushila Dhall said:
"By doing this, they gave themselves and the people they represent the right to drive into [bold]our[/bold] city and park for free."[/quote]
This shows the level of mentality involved - Oxford is the city of Oxfordshire it is not just for city councillors.
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."
Who appointed him as the Oxford conscience?
Green councillor
Sushila Dhall said:
"By doing this, they gave themselves and the people they represent the right to drive into our city and park for free."
This shows the level of mentality involved - Oxford is the city of Oxfordshire it is not just for city councillors.
Posted by: Phil, Oxford on 1:55pm Fri 16 May 08
Please remind me. Why should a driver expect free parking in Oxford City Centre?
Surely this is a subsidy that this city cannot afford.
Sure, I need a car but I don't expect to be able to leave it anywhere for free.
If I rent a room out to a logder I expect rent money. Why should car parking be any different?
Please remind me. Why should a driver expect free parking in Oxford City Centre?
Surely this is a subsidy that this city cannot afford.
Sure, I need a car but I don't expect to be able to leave it anywhere for free.
If I rent a room out to a logder I expect rent money. Why should car parking be any different?
Posted by: DanOxford on 2:57pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Phil[/bold] wrote:
Please remind me. Why should a driver expect free parking in Oxford City Centre? Surely this is a subsidy that this city cannot afford. Sure, I need a car but I don't expect to be able to leave it anywhere for free. If I rent a room out to a logder I expect rent money. Why should car parking be any different?[/quote] No-one expects to park for free.
Despite the money grabbing of the Council and the vapid nonsense of the 'Green' eco- Nazis, most Oxford(shire) residents and car drivers are perfectly normal, reasonable and fair- minded individuals.
What most object to is how they are seen as a Golden Goose to screw stealth taxes out of at every opportunity.
Evening parking used to start earlier (so you could go in and enjoy the cinema/ a meal in the evening) and weekend parking used to be considerably cheaper so you could take your kids to the parks or museums.
Motorists are already paying car tax, fuel duty, VAT ON TOP of fuel duty, insurance tax on top of central taxation and Council tax.
Living in East Oxford, wearing a llama herding hat and voting for a bunch of hippies doesn't give anyone the right to impose Communist style movement restrictions on anyone else.
Phil wrote:
Please remind me. Why should a driver expect free parking in Oxford City Centre? Surely this is a subsidy that this city cannot afford. Sure, I need a car but I don't expect to be able to leave it anywhere for free. If I rent a room out to a logder I expect rent money. Why should car parking be any different?
No-one expects to park for free.
Despite the money grabbing of the Council and the vapid nonsense of the 'Green' eco- Nazis, most Oxford(shire) residents and car drivers are perfectly normal, reasonable and fair- minded individuals.
What most object to is how they are seen as a Golden Goose to screw stealth taxes out of at every opportunity.
Evening parking used to start earlier (so you could go in and enjoy the cinema/ a meal in the evening) and weekend parking used to be considerably cheaper so you could take your kids to the parks or museums.
Motorists are already paying car tax, fuel duty, VAT ON TOP of fuel duty, insurance tax on top of central taxation and Council tax.
Living in East Oxford, wearing a llama herding hat and voting for a bunch of hippies doesn't give anyone the right to impose Communist style movement restrictions on anyone else.
Posted by: Sid Hunt on 5:35pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Phil[/bold] wrote:
Please remind me. Why should a driver expect free parking in Oxford City Centre? Surely this is a subsidy that this city cannot afford. Sure, I need a car but I don't expect to be able to leave it anywhere for free. If I rent a room out to a logder I expect rent money. Why should car parking be any different?[/quote] Even in central London the congestion charge ends at 1800 and applies Mon- Fri only. The metered parking charges also end at 1800. Why should Oxford charge over & above these hours? The taxi drivers are only complaining because instead of having to use their grubby cabs we can use our own transport.
Phil wrote:
Please remind me. Why should a driver expect free parking in Oxford City Centre? Surely this is a subsidy that this city cannot afford. Sure, I need a car but I don't expect to be able to leave it anywhere for free. If I rent a room out to a logder I expect rent money. Why should car parking be any different?
Even in central London the congestion charge ends at 1800 and applies Mon- Fri only. The metered parking charges also end at 1800. Why should Oxford charge over & above these hours? The taxi drivers are only complaining because instead of having to use their grubby cabs we can use our own transport.
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