Park and Ride free parking offer

The update will make it easier to visit the city centre, rediscover Oxford, and spend money in the local economy.

The City Council is waiving all parking charges at its Pear Tree, Redbridge and Seacourt Park and Ride sites, while the County Council is doing the same for Oxford Parkway and Thornhill Park and Rides.

The free parking, which will be available every day between Saturday 1 August and Monday 31 August, is being done to support businesses across Oxford and protect local jobs.

People are encouraged to roam beyond Oxford city centre to visit shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs and other businesses in local centres including Summertown, Headington and Cowley Road.

Earlier this month, both councils shared updates on the temporary bus gates proposals for Oxford city centre, which aim to assist Oxford’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The bus gates aim to create an environment which is safer for pedestrians and cyclists. This is to be achieved through ensuring quicker, more frequent buses on less congested roads. It will thus allow potentially reallocating road space to create an improved pedestrian and cycling environment.

Under normal conditions, vehicles use the city centre as a cut through. The aim is to reduce the use of city centre as a through-route, thereby cutting traffic levels and congestion within and on the approaches to the centre, to reboot the local economy and support local businesses.

Drivers will not have to do anything new when they arrive at the park and ride sites – they will be able to simply park their vehicles, wear a face covering and get straight on the bus. Although car parking will be free, fares for the bus journeys will still apply.

Parking payment machines will be covered during the month to stop anyone using them.

People who have already paid for August parking in advance can request a month-long extension to their permit by emailing carparks@oxford.gov.uk.

Eat Out to Help Out

The free parking will also help make it easier for people to support Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ deal, which provides a discount of up to 50% in selected pubs and restaurants on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday throughout August.

People can find restaurants participating in the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme by visiting the Find a Restaurant section of GOV.UK.