PARKING will be restricted on the service roads and some surrounding streets around Oxford Road, Kidlington, under new plans to deter commuters.

Oxfordshire County Council wants to limit parking to three hours in the week from 10am to 2pm on most parts of the two service roads.

The plans – which also ban parking at all times on the Oxford Road side of the service roads – come after other proposals were dropped in January.

Those restrictions – on the east service road near Thames Valley Police headquarters – sparked concerns it would push parking to the western side.

Traders backed the latest moves to tackle commuter parking, which they said worsened after the November introduction of parking charges at Water Eaton park and ride.

But shops in The Parade on the western service road said permits should be given for staff, customers and residents.

The restrictions would run from the junction with Bicester Road to by Sainsbury’s and around The Broadway.

Tina Cotterell, of Alison’s Animals, said: “It should stop the all-day parkers, the people going to Oxford who are working.

“The only down side is there is no help for the people who work here.”

Mark Green, owner of Sun-Ray Blinds, said: “I’m not very happy about it because it is going to be three hours limit.

“The staff will have to be moving cars around all the time.”

He called for permits and said of the park and ride: “They have pushed the problem on to here. It is a nightmare.”

Carl Boswell, funeral director at S&R Childs, backed permits and said: “We will have to encourage our people to park on the housing estate around the back.

“I can’t predict my workload every day, it is absurd. If I go out for the funeral I can’t guarantee I will be back three hours later.”

Richard Miles, owner of Benchmark Kitchens, said: “I already have staff threatening to leave.”

Mr Miles, who has put up “Customer parking only signs” outside, said: “It doesn’t take into account all the residents and shop owners and staff and delivery vehicles. Where is my van supposed to go?”

Kidlington Parish Council chairman David Betts said: “I am for restricting parking along this area but it has to be enforced.”

County spokesman Owen Morton said: “The aim of the scheme continues to be the prevention of all-day parking by commuters in a way that poses the least possible restriction on parking for residents, shoppers, and visitors to medical and educational sites. We have carried out informal consultation with interested parties including the parish council, and are planning to publish formal proposals for wider consultation in the autumn.”

The proposals will need to go to formal public consultation before a decision is made.

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