A TRANSPORT campaigner has urged a district council to scrap the free parking it prides itself on.

Hugh Jaeger, of Bus Users Oxford, said West Oxfordshire District Council should charge fees in all its car parks and even introduce a workplace parking levy to discourage car dependency.

His comments come as WODC continues its hunt for 600 off-street spaces in Witney and 1,000 in the district as a whole before 2031.

Mr Jaeger said: “Free car parks are a council-tax-funded subsidy to cars.

"They encourage unnecessary car use and cause congestion. This harms the economy and environment of every West Oxfordshire town.

“WODC should charge fees in all its car parks and introduce a workplace parking levy.

"It should invest the income in improving, increasing and promoting sustainable transport.”

He claimed that the council’s hunt for spaces is based on the assumption that car use should remain ‘unlimited’.

The process is designed to ensure parking spaces rise in line with new development expected over the next 13 years.

But Mr Jaeger said: “A wise council would ask for the best ways to reduce traffic.”

Earlier this month the council’s cabinet approved a feasibility study into adding a deck to part of the single-storey Woolgate car park in Witney.

James Mills, leader of the council, said: “In a rural area such as West Oxfordshire people need to use their cars to access facilities and support local town centre businesses.

“But we are looking at alternatives. Just last week we announced how we are backing plans for the development of Hanborough rail station which will ultimately mean fewer cars on the A40.

“And future developments will encourage people to live in sustainable communities with their workplace nearby.

"These new developments will include building cycle ways and footpaths to encourage healthy alternatives to the car.

“Park and ride schemes are also being considered in areas such as Eynsham which are again aimed at easing the congested A40.”

The council said it is committed to its free parking policy.