Local anger see overnight parking charges cancelled

Plans to introduce overnight parking charges at sites run by a local authority have been cancelled, after residents voiced their anger with the proposals.

Cherwell District Council introduced higher tariffs at its car parks in Bicester and Banbury last month - but paused the proposed introduction of overnight fees.

The authority had planned to introduce a £1.60 charge for people to park between 18:00 and 08:00 BST, which had previously been free.

It comes after there was confusion over the updated charges, after mismatches in rates displayed on car park signs and machines after the changes were spotted.

On Monday, the council's leadership told a meeting that it would no longer proceed with its overnight fee proposals for car parks in Bicester and Banbury.

A strategic review of the authority's parking charges - which would gather the views of local residents and businesses - was also announced.

Lesley McLean, the council's leader, said: "We have listened to businesses and residents, and we are clear that introducing overnight parking charges is not the right decision for Banbury and Bicester."

She said the authority "recognise the pressures facing local businesses, particularly those operating in the evening economy".

"We want to encourage people into our town centres, not put additional barriers in their way."

After the updated charges were introduced on 28 September, people reported widespread discrepancies between parking signs and payment apps - as well as confusion over whether they needed to pay the proposed overnight charge.

Earlier this month, Banbury MP Sean Woodcock wrote to the council about the issues, saying the situation "quite frankly... isn't good enough".

"This level of confusion can be stressful for people just trying to do the right thing and is also a barrier for people visiting local town centres," he added.