Lib Dem Slams Tory Parking Proposals

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 7th Oct 2005

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson, Cllr Bob Johnston, has slammed the Tory proposals for free evening and Sunday parking in central Oxford. He said that he believed that the plans were dogmatic and misguided.

Bob added, "Such proposals in places such as Witney and Abingdon (were parking fees already in place) would make sense in that they could contribute to town centre vitality. This is because in such towns there is spare parking available. In central Oxford all the available parking is already horribly over-committed. I personally have counted as many as 20 vehicles cruising round looking for spaces which do not exist.

"These spaces are charged for and bring in about £500,000, plus fees from penalty tickets.

"The Tory proposals can only make this situation worse - and, in addition to wasting petrol and causing more pollution, will lead to the state of affairs already experienced in London or elsewhere where a significant number of motorists find their journeys are frustrated. People will drive into Oxford, find nowhere to park legally and either have to park some distance from the centre or turn round and go home.

"And these proposals are the equivalent of simply sticking between £500,000 and £700,000 in an incinerator - when the money could be used to improve parking, start bus services or replace bus shelters."