PEOPLE in Botley and South Oxford complain motorists are beginning to clog up their streets because of the new charges at park and ride sites.

The irritated homeowners claim driveways are often blocked as motorists can park there all day for free and catch a bus or cycle into the city.

They say the problem arose after Oxford City Council introduced the £1.50 per day fee to park at the Seacourt, Redbridge and Peartree sites in October. The facilities had been free previously when Oxfordshire County Council was running them.

Julia Hammett, a Hurst Rise Road resident and a North Hinksey Parish Council member, said: “Botley is acting as a car park for people who can catch the bus and hop in to Oxford.

“The parking is awful sometimes and it blocks people’s drives. People are suffering the consequences of other people’s actions.

“It is just becoming intolerable.”

Pauline Allen, also of Hurst Rise Road, said the commuters’ cars were often parked dangerously as they restricted views of the junction with Cumnor Hill.

She added: “I have lived her 30 years and it has never been this bad. It is not just a few cars, it blocks the whole of the bottom part of the road. We might as well just be a car park for the park and ride.”

Those using the park and ride service also have to pay £2.20 for a return bus ticket into the city centre.

But parish council member Roy Clark, of Hurst Rise Road, said there was no excuse.

He said: “They have no consideration for the people who live around here. It is annoying as there is a park and ride especially for them.”

Eric Batts, district council member for North Hinksey and Wytham, said many residents had raised concerns over the sudden increase.

He said: “Complaints have built up since it was introduced. It’s down to the city council’s short-sighted policy.”

He also said people were visiting Oxford after using the free car parks at the West Way shopping centre, Elms Parade and Elms Court.

Jayne Madden, 53, of Weirs Lane, Oxford, said drivers avoiding the new charges were also causing problems for those living near the Redbridge park and ride.

She said it was now a lot harder to find a parking space, adding: “You just can’t park. There are cars everywhere.”

City council spokesman Louisa Dean said it had not seen a significant decrease in the number of people parking at the park and ride sites.

Figures for the first two months indicate about 62,000 motorists a month are parking at the three sites.

She said: “We appreciate that some commuters may not wish to pay for park and ride and we sympathise with residents who may have been affected by the increased number of cars on their streets.

“We will raise this issue with the county council who may wish to install residents’ parking zones in that area.”

Oxfordshire County Council retains control of the Thornhill and Water Eaton park and rides, which remain free for motorists.