PARKING charges are set to rise across Oxford, with the cost of parking at the Westgate reduced on Saturdays in a bid to help retailers.

A major review of parking fees is expected to result in parking charges introduced for the first time beside parks and green areas of the city.

Charges at Worcester Street will rise from £4 to £5.20 for one to two hours (£5 to £6.50 on Saturday), with charges for three to four hours rising from £7.60 to £8.70 (£9.50 to £10.90 on Saturday).

Charges at the Westgate, where there continues to be “ample spaces”, will remain the same. However, on Saturdays the cost will drop. Parking for one to two hours will come down from £5 to £4, for two to three hours it will be reduced from £7.50 to £6 and for three to four hours the price will come down from £9.50 to £7.60.

But significant rises are expected at the Headington and St Leonard’s car parks to bring them into line with other car parks. Charges there will rise from 80p to £1.50 for one to two hours, and double from £1.50 to £3 for two to three hours.

A decision on tariffs will be taken by the city council’s executive on Wednesday.