PARKING bosses hope to free up space in Witney by shortening the time for motorists in some car parks.

All 853 spaces at the Woolgate car park will be made short stay, meaning motor-ists can park for a maximum of three hours.

At the moment there are 144 long stay, nine-hour, spaces and the rest are short stay.

The nine-hour spaces will move to the 145 spaces on the top two floors of the Marriotts Close multi-storey car park where the current maximum is five hours.

As part of the plan the temporary Woodford Way car park will remain open for the next three years.

The idea is part of a new parking strategy for Witney.

Councillors say they want to tackle a rising demand for spaces while also highlighting the importance of free parking to the local economy.

West Oxfordshire District Council will also investigate forcing developers to make financial contributions towards parking improvements and more spaces.

Lesley Semaine, chairman of Witney Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “We wholeheartedly give our backing to this strategy and appreciate the support from the council.

“It’s great to know that it is looking to the future and businesses will appreciate the commitment to free parking.

“Witney is a bustling, vibrant town and the car parks, particularly the Woolgate, do get very busy.

“The freeing up of short-stay spaces will help to keep the flow moving, so this is welcomed as a first step.”

Parking is free at all 16 of the district council’s public car parks, including the three in Witney where there are 1,854 spaces.

Parking in West Oxfordshire has always been free.

It is estimated about 100,000 people visit Witney town centre each week and a review into parking by the district council has revealed demand for off-street parking is rising by five per cent every year.

Figures from the district council show the Woolgate car park is 87 per cent used, a rise of four per cent over the past year and a half, while use of the Marriott’s Walk car park has risen from 37 per cent to 43 per cent.

The council approved the parking strategy at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

David Harvey, cabinet member for environment, said: “We are very proud to be the only council in Oxfordshire to provide free 24/7 parking across all of our car parks for the benefit of our local economy, visitors and residents.

“This parking strategy very clearly sets out our continuing commitment to doing this.

“It is fantastic that so many people want to come to Witney, especially at a time when other market towns are struggling, and we have already greatly improved parking facilities in the town.

“However, we recognise the need to cater for growing demand.”

Civil enforcement officers known as community wardens patrol the car parks and hand out penalty charge notices of £50 if regulations are broken, including if a car stays longer than allowed.