Banbury: Central South area - proposed permit parking & restrictions

Following an informal consultation with residents which was carried out in 2024 (see details here), Officers have worked with representatives of the Town Council and the County Councillor to develop proposals for the ‘Central South’ area in Banbury. The proposals look to address issues arising from all day parking by commuters and non-residents in the town, whilst also providing options for residents by way of parking permits.

We're therefore asking for your views on the plan to make changes to on-street parking restrictions, in order to help better manage the supply of residential & non-residential parking in the immediate vicinity. Specifically, the proposals comprise of the following measures:

Permit holders parking would be provided by signed ‘Permit holders only past this point’ restriction on various streets, as well as designated parking bays in others, both operating at all times on all days. Additionally, ‘shared-use’ parking bays (Permit holders or 2 hours no return within 1 hour’) will also be introduced on Monday to Saturday between 8am-6pm, enabling both permit holders & non-permit holders to park as appropriate.

Residents of specified properties within Albert Street, Amos Court, Ashby Court, Britania Road, Broad Street, Calthorpe Road, Dashwood Road, Fairview Road, Gatteridge Street, George Street, Grosvenor Road, Grove Street, Jubilee Court, Marlborough Place, Newland Place, Newland Road, Old Parr Close, Old Parr Road, Prospect Road, and St Johns Road will be eligible to apply for both resident permits (one per resident & a maximum of two per property) & visitor permits, with a local identifier of `BCS` to be shown on permits and on road signage where the restrictions apply.

* Additionally, residents of Nos.1-24 Milton Street, and Alms House Nos.1-4 New Road will be able to apply for annual Residents and Visitors` Parking Permits within the ‘Banbury Centre West’ zone, with a local identifier of `BCW` shown on permits.

New 'No Waiting at Any Time' restriction (Double yellow lines) will be introduced to help facilitate the proposed new measures and mitigate potential displacement of non-residential parking, in many cases by replacing the existing Single Yellow Line restrictions (‘No Waiting Monday to Saturday, 8am-6pm’).

Finally, new ‘Pay & Display’ (Max stay 2 hours, no return within 1 hour) parking provision (Monday to Saturday, 8am-6pm) will be introduced on parts of Calthorpe Street, George Street, and High Street to provide short-stay parking for those wishing to utilise the local amenities, with the tariff set at £1.50 for one hour, and £2.80 for two hours.

* Notes: the general operating principles that would apply for the permit scheme are outlined below:

• Resident’s permits are limited to 1 per resident with a maximum of 2 per property,
  
• Only eligible residents may apply and proof of residency and vehicle ownership will be required on application,
• The fee for a resident’s permit is currently set at £76 per annum per permit,
• Visitors permits for residents aged 70 or over will be free of charge, for other residents the first block of 25 visitors permits will be free and the second block will be £31.50 - with a maximum of 50 per annum,
• Blue badge holders can park in permit parking areas/bays without the need to display a permit,
• A permit allows the holder to park in an area/bay designated for use with that permit. It does not allow the user to contravene other restrictions such as double yellow lines. It also does not guarantee a space directly outside a property and any marked spaces are not allocated or reserved to induvial permit holders,
• Contractors may apply for a permit to use a resident`s parking place at a charge of £31.50 for any period not exceeding a week, and
  
• Permits are available for registered carers and healthcare workers.

Have your say.

Please read the detailed information provided on this consultation and take the time to complete the survey as your views and opinions matter. Your response should be completed and returned by 5pm on Friday 01 August 2025.

Whilst we will endeavour to answer simple queries during the course of the consultation, any more complex questions/issues will be appraised and dealt with as part of consultation process.

What happens next?

The County Council will review the responses and if necessary (i.e. if objections are received) prepare a report to be presented to the Cabinet Member for Highway Management at a meeting scheduled for later in 2025. This will be public meeting at which members of the public may apply to speak. The agenda and reports for meetings will be made available on the Oxfordshire County Council web site about a week before the meeting (please note that occasionally it is necessary to defer reports to a later meeting, and it is therefore advisable to check the agenda ahead of attending a meeting). The Forward Plan of decisions meetings can be viewed here.