An Oxfordshire councillor has warned that complimentary parking in the county faces being removed or made significantly more costly for drivers. Liam Walker, leader of the Oxfordshire Conservative group, believes there is clear evidence that the local authority intends to eliminate free parking or impose higher charges across the West Oxfordshire Lowlands region.

The elected representative’s worries relate to the council’s fresh Movement and Place Plan covering the West Oxfordshire Lowlands – encompassing Witney, Carterton and Burford – with public feedback on the proposals continuing until early June.

Mr Walker said the documentation shows that the Liberal Democrats intend to completely eliminate free parking or make it so burdensome and costly that visitors stop travelling to the area’s market towns. He argued that policies originating from the city are now spreading into rural communities, and that residents and businesses are justified in expressing serious alarm about these developments.

In response, the county council said no immediate changes to the current parking setup in the region are planned.

The consultation paperwork notes that offering free parking prevents people from choosing other transport methods for brief trips, since they have the option to drive instead. It further states that officials intend to collaborate actively with communities, local partners and businesses to investigate approaches for managing car parking, potentially including reducing or restricting free parking, repositioning car parks and decreasing parking capacity, while still protecting the rural economy.

Mr Walker, who serves Hanborough and Hailey, observed that inhabitants of western Oxfordshire depend heavily on private vehicles, and any attempt to raise costs could harm the local economy and create difficulties for families and workers.

Oxfordshire County Council has stated that the plan’s objective is to enhance public areas and modernise travel routes and related infrastructure.

A council representative explained that the approach recognises solutions cannot be uniform, and various alternatives will require discussion with West Oxfordshire District Council, which handles off-street parking facilities, along with communities, partners and businesses.

The representative confirmed that at present, no alterations to the existing parking arrangements within the MAP Plan area are scheduled. Any potential modifications to parking would only be explored for locations where alternative transport options are readily available, and before new schemes are put in place.

This discussion forms part of broader arguments about parking policy in the region, including the introduction of charges for roadside parking in Woodstock and disputed plans to develop the Woodford Way Car Park site in Witney.

Mr Walker said decisive action must be taken against these proposals before lasting damage occurs to the market towns and local economy.