A major UK council has temporarily cancelled plans to introduce new parking charges, allowing drivers to breathe a sigh of relief.
Oxfordshire County Council has been forced to push back its Controlled Parking Zone plans after more than 80 per cent of locals voiced their opposition to the scheme.
The measures would have introduced new parking charges from Monday to Sunday between 8am and 8pm for permit holders only in parts of the city.
The proposal would also see the creation of three-hour shared-use parking bays in Lower Wolvercote as well as a three-hour limit on parking bays for non-permit holders on Godstow Road, and double-yellow lines.
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The parking scheme received more than 80 per cent objections by residents
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The parking measures aimed to “prevent those coming to Oxford North from parking in nearby residential areas”, as well as crackdown on the number of vehicles going to Oxford North, official council documents detailed.
The council aims to remove free on-street commuter and other non-residential car parking spaces from the city in a bid to reduce traffic levels and help boost the use of public transport.
The CPZ also looked to limit the number of car parking spaces provided as part of new developments by ensuring restricted off-street provisions do not lead to overspill parking in surrounding streets.
However, the scheme was met with heavy criticism from residents who warned the changes would create unnecessary expenses. They also raised further concerns over the placement of double yellow lines and parking bays which could create dangerous conditions on roads.
Graham Jones, one of the residents who spoke against the proposal, said: “One has to ask, what is the purpose of a consultation if 82 per cent of respondents fully object with well-reasoned argument?
“If officers ignore them and recommend a full draconian unchanged CPZ as a result?We ask that you keep Upper Wolvercote as it is because it works as it is.”
Councillor Andrew Gant said: “When they’re introduced, there is often resistance and opposition, but once they’re in, I’ve not had a single email from anyone who lives within a CPZ asking for them to be taken out.”
But he did note that given the public backlash, it could be a “sensible” move to defer the CPZ while the scheme is readjusted.
The council also found that a large majority of responses to the consultation expressed objections or concerns about the need for controlled parking in any form.
The council document stated: “Parking pressures such as commuter parking or displaced parking in the area are not severe and that the scheme would instead cause unnecessary inconvenience and expense for existing residents and their visitors.”
Numerous respondents also raised issues over the proposed operational hours of the scheme with roughly 75 per cent expressing that they are “too restrictive” and “impacting on those visiting families, community events and local businesses”.
Residents of Godstow Road and Elmthorpe Road also objected to the proposed three-hour parking bay opposite the nature reserve warning it will cause parking along the stretch of road to create obstructions and congestion issues at peak times.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A map of Oxford’s proposed Controlled Parking Zone
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
This is the second time Controlled Parking Zones have been rejected by residents and follows previous deferrals in 2022 and 2023.
Taking to social media someone shared: “Many people would gladly pay to be the only ones legally able to park outside their own home, especially if they do not have a driveway, including me.
“I hope that gets introduced soon. I bet the people against CPZ would still object to that, as although they claim it should be up to the residents themselves, the reality is they want to be able to park anywhere they want.”
