Agenda item

To receive and consider details of OCC’s consultation for charging only parking bays. Details of the proposal for Witney are included.

Full details of the proposal covering other areas of Oxfordshire can be found at Letstalk:- Proposed Electric Vehicle charging only parking spaces

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda so the OCC Officers and the member of public could hear the discussion and outcome.

The Committee had received a presentation from OCC regarding proposals for dedicated EV charging parking spaces at Church Green.

Members discussed the growth in EV ownership and agreed that charging infrastructure was needed for residents without off-street parking. However, Members noted concerns about the loss of parking spaces in an area that was heavily utilised particularly by Church Green permit-holders,  the actual current need within this vicinity, but acknowledging that EV uptake was often dependent on charging infrastructure being available first.

Members had heard that the proposal could potentially be reduced from six spaces to four, although any further reduction would make the scheme financially unviable. Whilst recognising that the charging points would align with the Town Council’s own environmental priorities and provide futureproofing for increased EV ownership, concerns remained regarding the impact on parking availability for non-electric vehicles, the effect on the character of Church Green, and potential mis use during school drop-off and pick-up periods so the Committee was therefore not supportive of the proposal.

The Committee expressed a preference for higher-powered charging facilities in more strategic locations and suggested that alternative sites identified by OCC should be considered ahead of Church Green. Members also recommended that all Town Councillors, local residents, and affected permit holders be encouraged to submit comments to OCC as part of the consultation process.

The Committee agreed the following response be submitted:

Witney Town Council supports the principle of increasing access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and recognises the important role such infrastructure will play in supporting the transition to lower-emission transport.

However, the Council objects to the current proposal for Church Green and requests that Oxfordshire County Council reconsider both the location and scale of the scheme.

The Council's principal concern is the loss of existing parking provision in an area that already experiences significant parking pressures. Church Green serves local residents, visitors to the church, users of nearby facilities and school-related traffic. The proposal would remove up to six spaces from general use and dedicate them exclusively to electric vehicle charging. The Council considers this a substantial loss of parking capacity in a location where parking is currently fully utilised throughout the day and where available spaces are already at a premium.

Members expressed particular concern regarding the impact on permit holders. The residents' parking scheme was introduced in Church Green and Corn Street to address longstanding parking issues experienced by local residents and to improve their ability to park close to their homes. The proposed conversion of six permit-holder spaces into EV-only bays would reduce the availability of parking for residents who do not own electric vehicles and may have no realistic prospect of doing so in the short term. Members were concerned that this could undermine some of the intended benefits of the recently introduced permit parking scheme.

The Council also questions whether the allocation of six dedicated EV charging bays is proportionate to current demand within the immediate area. Whilst future demand for EV charging may grow, Members considered there to be insufficient evidence that the removal of six valuable parking spaces is currently justified. If charging infrastructure is considered necessary in this location, a smaller number of bays may represent a more balanced and proportionate approach.

Members further expressed concern regarding the suitability of Church Green as a location. Church Green forms part of one of Witney's most historic and sensitive areas and makes an important contribution to the character and appearance of the town's conservation area. The Council believes particular care should be taken before introducing additional street furniture and associated infrastructure into this setting.

The Council also identified concerns regarding the practical enforcement of EV-only parking restrictions. Given the proximity of the church, local schools and other town-centre destinations, there is a risk that the bays may be occupied by vehicles that are not charging, whether for short stays or longer periods. This raises questions regarding the effectiveness of enforcement and the potential for conflict between residents, visitors and EV users.

The Council would therefore encourage Oxfordshire County Council to investigate alternative locations where EV charging infrastructure could be delivered with less impact on resident parking. Members noted that public car parks, charging hubs, or locations with lower existing parking demand may provide a more appropriate solution.

Should Oxfordshire County Council wish to proceed at Church Green, the Council would strongly encourage a reduction in the number of dedicated bays together with a comprehensive review period to assess actual demand and usage before any further expansion is considered.

For these reasons, Witney Town Council objects to the proposal in its current form.

Resolved:

That, the agreed response be submitted.