A CAR parking compromise could protect vibrant suburban shops and still boost Town Hall coffers, it emerged last night.

Oxford City Council’s executive will decide tomorrow whether to ditch its plan to increase charges at Headington car park and adopt an alternative which traders believe will satisfy everyone.

The council’s proposal enraged businesses in the area when it was announced in November.

It was part of a package of fee increases at car parks across the city aimed at helping to balance the council’s books amid a fall in funding from the Government.

Businesses in Headington fear that the increased charges will drive away customers and that shoppers will only pay to park for an hour, visiting fewer shops and cafes as a result.

Under the new plan, the increased charges to park for up to an hour (up 40p to £1) and for up to two hours (set to rise from 70p to £1.50) would be replaced with a single charge of £1.20 to park for up to two hours.

Council officers said the change would still generate the extra £118,000 a year they want to earn in fees in Headington.

Traders said the change would mean customers did not have to cut short shopping trips to avoid paying extra.

Elaine Bellenger, who runs dress shop Monaco, in Old High Street, said the idea of the two-hour fee was acceptable to shop owners.

Mrs Bellenger, who organised a petition opposing the council’s initial plans, said: “It keeps businesses happy and produces the council revenue. In my view it’s a better option.”

Headington councillor Ruth Wilkinson drew up the plan in conjunction with council staff.

She said: “It seems to me it’s common sense to implement a scheme that produces the same income but inconveniences fewer people and promotes business.”

The council hopes to raise an extra £955,000 in income over the next four years from parking charges at the same time as it tries to cut £10m from its budget.

The revised fee plan for Headington was debated by the council’s value and performance scrutiny committee yesterday. Members agreed to ask the executive to adopt the change at its meeting at 5pm tomorrow, at the Town Hall.

Colin Cook, the executive member for city development, warned the executive would not accept the two-hour fee plan if it was perceived as a risk to income.

He said: “If you can offer greater certainty, then we will be prepared to listen. Back of an envelope calculations just won’t stand up.”

The scrutiny committee did not challenge the council’s decision to introduce parking fees at recreation grounds and parks.

Residents and sports clubs told the meeting that the new charges would lead to parking problems in surrounding streets.