The Vale of White Horse District Council have budgeted quite a lot of money in the next couple of years on car park improvements. They will invest £2,000,000 in expanding car park capacity throughout the Vale in next year’s budget. And this year are spending £150,000 improving the public conveniences in the Abingdon Charter Car Park, and £800,000 to transform the appearance and extend the serviceable life of the car park itself.

The Vale invested £320,000 in 2006 on refurbishment and prolonging the usefulness of the Charter Car Park.

So it will be interesting what more will be done this year to improve this facility ten years on.

This may be of limited interest… There is currently a consultation underway about increasing the number of residents parking places in West St Helen Street and St Helens Court.

A lot of residents, and temporary visitors like nurses, already park along St Helens Court. 10 metres either side will become legitimate if the proposal goes through.

There is currently 10 metres residents parking outside the flats at 66-76 West St Helen Street. That is to increase to 18 metres. So in total there could be 5-6 additional parking spaces.

Normally there is not a problem finding parking on weekdays. It is weekends, and evenings, when there are not enough spaces.

I was asked to pass on the advice that the Coxeters Carpark is a private car park for customers of Coxeter House. The car park is manned during the day …

but not in the evening and so there is no way to buy an evening ticket. Quite a few people have received fines in the last month or so.

So unless you are a Customer of a Coxeter based business you would be better off to use a council car park in the evening. They are free, without a ticket, from 6pm to 8am.