PARKING permit fees across the Vale of White Horse District will be increasing by 10 per cent along with inflation levels – but hourly charges will remain the same.

From April 2023, monthly permits to district council car parks will increase by £7 on average, with annual permits increasing £81 on average, to ‘help support the delivery and maintenance of the car parks’.

As a largely rural district, the council acknowledged the ‘importance of car parks’ in allowing residents to access their town centres and support the local business community, which is more important now than ever in wake of the covid-19 pandemic and rising costs of living.

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However, to help ease the pressure on residents and local businesses, hourly parking charges will remain the same and one-hour free parking such as those in Wantage as well as Abingdon, and Faringdon with two hours free in Faringdon’s Southampton Street car park.

Councillor Sally Povolotsky, cabinet member for climate emergency and environment at the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Car park fees in the Vale present a significant challenge in balancing the needs of residents and businesses, while making the service more financially sustainable.

“This slight increase to permit costs is a step towards car park users covering more of the ongoing maintenance costs, rather than all Vale council taxpayers, and will help ensure our car parks are well-maintained.

“However, we know this is a difficult time for many local businesses and residents, which is why we are raising permit fees in line with inflation and will continue to offer free parking every day to help everyone do their shopping, support local businesses and keep the community connected.

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“As part of our commitment to tackle the climate emergency, we encourage residents to consider more sustainable travel options where possible, including using public transport, ride sharing, cycling and walking, which all help reduce our district’s carbon footprint and ease congestion on our roads.”

From April, the new Monday to Friday permit costs for district council car parks will be Rye Farm in Abingdon, a monthly permit of £63 and annual permit of £629, and Abbey Close, Audlett Drive and West St Helen Street in Abingdon, a monthly permit of £79 and an annual permit of £787.

Gloucester Street in Faringdon will see a monthly permit of £40 and an annual permit of £392.

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The full list of permit prices, including permits from Monday to Sunday and quarterly permits, will be available on council’s website imminently.

For more information on the council’s car parks and fees, visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk/carparks

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This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @geeharland