On Thursday 26th January 2023, Oxfordshire County Council made the decision to introduce residents permit parking in Thame, but to put the proposal for pay and display parking in central Thame on hold.
In November 2021, the enforcement of car parking restrictions moved from Thames Valley Police to Oxfordshire County Council.
In response to some local concerns about car parking enforcement, Oxfordshire County Council proposed a number of changes including introducing resident and visitor permits on some roads and the introduction of Pay and Display Bays on the High Street, Cornmarket, and Upper High Street to encourage the turnover of parking spaces.
A consultation was carried out via an online survey between 8th September – 14th October 2022 which received a total of 299 responses from local residents and other impacted groups. In response to the consultation, the introduction of resident and visitor permits was positively received, however 60% objected to introducing parking charges.
The decision made, last Thursday, was to approve the resident and visitor permits but proposals to introduce paid parking bays were put on hold to allow further work in consultation with Thame Town Council.
Lib Dem County Councillor Kate Gregory said
“I would like to thank all the residents who took park in this consultation. There is sometimes a perception that when public consultations take place that the decision has already been made and that it’s a done deal. I am pleased this demonstrates that this is not the case and that the residents of Thame were listened to. I think there is still more work to be done with regards to introducing resident and visitor permits to other roads in the centre of Thame, and I will work with officers on this. ”
