Car park fees to rise by 10 per cent

CHARGES at three car parks in Henley are set to increase by 10 per cent from April 1.

Prices will rise by a minimum of 20 pence at Southfields, off Goodall Close, Greys Road, and Kings Road car parks, which are owned by South Oxfordshire District Council.

The council agreed to increase the charges to help fund improvements to the car parks, such as installing new car park pay machines.

Daily tickets at the long-stay Southfields car park will increase by £1.

Stays of up to five hours will now cost £5, while stays of up to 10 hours will cost £6.

Charging hours apply for a maximum of 23 hours from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Daily tickets at Greys Road and King’s Road car parks will see a price increase of 20 pence for charges of up to two hours, now costing £2.20.

Charges of up to three hours now cost £3.30. Parking will remain free for up to one hour.

Charging hours apply 24 hours per day from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Motorcycles can park for free across all three locations.

A new way of calculating car park permits has also been introduced which, the council says, more clearly outlines the amount of reduction permit holders can get.

Non-transferable annual permits, which apply from Monday to Sunday at Southfields will cost £936.

Low-emission vehicles, which can travel at least 20 miles with zero C02 emissions, will be charged £468.

A one-month permit costs £78, while low-emission vehicles will be charged £39.

Market trader permits, which are valid for one day a week, cost £180 annually and £15 for a month.

Across all car parks, the daily rate for skips across two spaces has increased by £4 to £48.

The rate for gazebos, trailers and market stalls has increased by £2 to £24.

The cost of replacing a permit has increased by £1 to £15.

A spokesman for South Oxfordshire District Council said: “At the meeting on January 30, the council’s cabinet agreed to increase the car park fees by 10 per cent from April 1 and increase some of the longer stay fees for up to five hours and more than five hours.

“The council has also decided to introduce a new way of calculating car park permits.

“This makes it clear the amount of reduction permit holders can get, if for example, they come to our towns and park in the council car parks all day, compared to paying for parking every day, getting a car park permit will give a reduction of 40 per cent.

“The move also means car park users can pay for the permit each month and not have to pay for the whole year in one go.”