District council to look at on-street parking enforcement

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Housing is exploring whether to take over on-street parking enforcement in the district, which includes Thame.

SODC is contacting Oxfordshire County Council (the highways authority), which is responsible for formally applying for powers and then delegating civil parking enforcement responsibilities, to find out whether this could be possible.

SODC said in a press release today: “We are also looking at the business case involved in taking over enforcement, including costs and projected income.

“Thames Valley Police is currently responsible for this across most of South Oxfordshire, apart from a small number of spaces in Wallingford, which we deal with, and some areas of Henley, which the town council is responsible for.”

Cllr Caroline Newton, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said: “We’re very mindful that problems do exist with on-street parking in some areas of South Oxfordshire. That’s why we’re taking this issue seriously, not only by liaising with the police and partner organisations, but by exploring whether we should apply to take over responsibility for enforcement.

“We’re working on this and there’s lots to be considered. In the meantime, I’d like to encourage motorists to park responsibly and help to keep our towns and villages moving.”

SODC needs to seek formal agreement from Oxfordshire County Council to apply to the Department of Transport to delegate civil parking enforcement powers to our council. If the county council agrees and SODC decides to take over responsibility, a full review will need to be carried out to look at existing car parking orders and yellow lines.

NOTE: Thame Town Council is keen to work with businesses based in the town centre to develop adequate parking opportunities for their staff so that the streets and car parks in the town centre are left free for people coming to access the shops and services in the town. It wants local businesses to encourage their staff to explore the options. Visit: LINK HERE to Thame Town Council’s website for more information.