Tories Throw Away Income

5.06.08pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Sep 2005

Cllr Jean Fooks has launched an attack the Tories' determination to reduce the Council's income by dropping parking charges in the centre of Oxford. "There are very few spare parking places in Oxford in the evenings and Sundays," said Jean. "Encouraging people to drive into town will only increase congestion and frustration amongst drivers unable to find a space. At the same time, buses will be held up by the extra traffic, air pollution will get worse because of slow-moving vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists will find conditions even more unpleasant. And the Council will lose money.

"At present there is a surplus from on-street parking in Oxford which can be spent on improving park and rides or other traffic management measures. One measure I would like to see is support for a bus service to serve the Headington hospitals from Water Eaton park and ride and Summertown. At the moment, I know that people are driving because there isn't a convenient bus service, causing congestion in Headington and holding up buses there.

"However, under Tory plans, there will be much less money potentially available in future, and congestion will only get worse."

For more information please contact:

Cllr Jean Fooks 01865 310351

Note to Editors:

Jean is putting a motion to this effect to the County Council meeting tomorrow, 13th September (available on request).