A shift toward automated parking without traditional tickets is expected to be implemented at all car parks managed by the Vale of White Horse District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council.
The authorities have put forward a plan where drivers must record their vehicle details through a payment terminal, telephone, website, or mobile application prior to leaving their car at council-owned facilities.
South Oxfordshire District Council intends to roll out several improvements to parking areas in locations such as Thame and Wallingford, operating under fresh civil enforcement powers.
These modifications are contained within the South Oxfordshire District Council (Civil Enforcement Off-Street Parking Places) (No.1) Order 2026, which will replace the 2024 order currently in force.
Under these proposals, every council pay-and-display parking site would transition to a cashless approach, necessitating that vehicles be registered at the payment machine, through a phone call, online platform, or smartphone application.
The Cattlemarket car park in Thame would see a reduction of fifteen parking spots to facilitate development work on a neighbouring commercial building.
Spaces designated for disabled drivers would be repositioned to preserve the existing level of accessibility.
Additional modifications involve lengthening the operating hours to permit full-day parking at the Southern Road facility in Thame, which presently permits only brief stays.
The order would additionally roll out a restructured pricing scheme at two long-stay parking sites in Wallingford to provide what the council terms ‘greater choice’.
The proposed order and the council’s reasoning can be examined by members of the public at Abbey House in Abingdon during the hours of 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:00pm on weekdays, excluding bank holidays.
Arrangements to view these materials can be made by contacting 01235 422 422.
Individuals wishing to submit observations or raise objections may do so by emailing technicalservices@southandvale.gov.uk, accessing the consultation section on the council’s website, or sending written correspondence to the technical services manager at Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE.
Responses must be received by 11.59pm on Friday, May 8.
All representations will be assessed by the council’s Cabinet prior to reaching a definitive conclusion.
Should the initiative receive approval, the new arrangement will demand that vehicles be registered at the time of arrival to commence parking, using either the terminal, a mobile phone, or the application.
This requirement remains in effect even during complimentary periods or when a current permit is held.
Motorcycles and cars bearing a valid disabled badge will continue to be excluded from payment obligations at all impacted sites, though time restrictions continue to be enforced.
Additional administrative fees may be incurred, including a charge of £16 for permit replacements.
Additional announcements in the vicinity encompass modifications to parking arrangements in the Vale of White Horse, where the district council is put forth comparable enhancements.
Vale of White Horse’s strategy to adopt a ticketless payment-upon-arrival system across its parking facilities will involve cancelling the existing 2022 orders and instituting fresh orders for 2026.
Documentation is available for public perusal at Abbey House.
Appointments can be organized by ringing 01235 422 422.
Input must be received by 11.59pm on Friday, May 8, 2026.
In Oxford, short-term road closures are scheduled for May Day festivities.
Oxfordshire County Council has published an order restricting access to multiple roads in the High Street and Longwall Street zone on Friday, May 1, between 2am and 9am.
This action aims to safeguard public wellbeing during May Day observances centred on Magdalen Bridge.
The restrictions will impact the High Street from The Plain to just beyond King Edward Street, together with Longwall Street through to Holywell Street, Rose Lane, Queens Lane, and Merton Street at its junction with the High Street.
Exceptions are made for emergency vehicles and authorized access to properties.
The order will stay in force throughout the May Day event.
Those impacted or seeking additional information can reach the Traffic Regulations Team at County Hall.