THE incoming Government pledged the war on motorists was over.

Looking at the parking charges Oxford City Council wants to bring in, however, you have to wonder how true that is.

A scrutiny committee was yesterday running the rule over the planned hikes but the overall feeling is that the city sees parking as an easy way of ramping up revenue in tough times.

The council is treading a fine line between raising revenue and scaring away shoppers.

The city centre has seen a drop in parking revenue, with the Westgate – which should bring in almost half of all income across the city – the worst performing car park in Oxford.

It is at least addressing the case of Westgate with a reduction for what are termed “shopping hours” but will it be enough?

Westgate has been affected, in our view, by the change to free parking at the park and ride sites. But with this about to end, the city centre will be even less attractive to visit.

The city’s case is undermined by its complaints of “income pressures” such as losing £220,000 if the St Clement’s car park is built on. This is a contentious plan but the city can’t earn money off such a development and then complain it is being squeezed financially by it.

At least yesterday there was some proposed compromise with a change to help traders in Headington.

Charging people near parks is also not so clear-cut. The council’s own papers say at best recouping the cost of setting up a charging system will take three years.

Given that and with council cash at a premium, is it really the time to press ahead with a scheme that will show no “profit” for more than three years yet will penalise sportspeople?

The rising cost of fuel may also see fewer people using their cars so treating motorists as a neverending cash cow is surely flawed.