Oxford park-and-ride parking fees reintroduced

Parking fees have been reintroduced at three park-and-ride sites in Oxford.

The changes at the Peartree, Redbridge and Seacourt sites are due to budget cuts, the city council said.

Payments will be made by drivers logging their vehicle registration number and location by phone, at an onsite machine or online.

Prices vary depending on the method of payment used, but they start at £1.50 a day and £7.50 for seven days, at an onsite machine using cash.

Credit or debit card payments can be made on the phone or online using RingGo, and fees cost £1.70 per day and £7.70 for seven days.

'Budget pressures'

A 28-day payment can also be made by phone or online and costs £30.90.

The cost includes a text message reminder, 24 hours before it is due to expire.

Councillor Bob Price, leader of Oxford City Council, said: "It has always been Oxford City Council's aspiration to provide a free park-and-ride service for people coming into the city.

"However, budget pressures mean that the subsidy that Oxfordshire County Council paid, approximately £1m, can no longer be afforded by them.

"As a consequence, the three sites will return to the management of Oxford City Council and we will have to introduce charging."

The council will use automatic number plate recognition cameras to check that parking fees are paid.

Anyone who has registered with RingGo at any other location in the past does not need to register again.