Grass verges in Blackbird Leys 'are being turned into a muddy bog' by selfish drivers'

In recent months verges around the estate in places such as Pegasus Road, Cuddesdon Way, Merlin Road and Jasmine Close have been wrecked by drivers looking to park close to home.

On a recent walkabout to identify problem areas, parish councillor Gordon Roper and city councillor Linda Smith agreed to join forces to tackle the problem.

Mr Roper said: “Over the years, more people have got cars.

“Blackbird Leys is known for its parks and green spaces and they are just churning up the grass. These are green spaces, so let’s keep them green.”

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He added: “Some people are too lazy. Rather than parking further down the road they want to park right outside their door.

“The worst and most troublesome spot is in Cuddesdon Way – there’s a white van that has been continuously going there.

“It’s council land and it’s up to them to try to enforce it. But we don’t want to enforce it. People should be using their common sense.”

Since the walkabout, Oxford City Council has agreed to pay for more wooden bollards to be laid along residential roads to stop people driving on the grass.

At the same time Blackbird Leys Road and Jasmine Close – two roads badly affected by the issue – are each set to get 12 new parking spaces.

Ms Smith said: “In some areas the grass has been turned into a muddy bog. I think it has been particularly bad this year because of all the wet weather we have had.

“People want to park close to their front doors. It’s for convenience, but it’s something we want to discourage.”

At present Ms Smith is seeking advice from the council’s chief legal officer on what could be done, including existing bylaws or possibly introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which would see people fined if caught parking on grass within a defined area.

But she added: “We don’t want to make people’s lives more difficult. The way I would prefer to go about it is to make sure there is adequate parking on the estate.

“Maybe then it’s just a question of education, and making it socially unacceptable by having people speak to their neighbours and asking them not to do it.”

According to Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Chris Birdsall, parking tickets could only be issued to people who are parked on grass next to a parking-restricted road.

At present there are plans to paint yellow lines on a large chunk of the estate, including Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys Road and Merlin Road, which would affect the issue.

He said: “If there are yellow lines or restrictions on the highway, the grass behind is also subject to restrictions. If someone parks on grass next to those, then they could be ticketed by the county council.

“If new restrictions go ahead and people park on the verges, they will be subject to parking penalties. But there is nothing we can do unless there are restrictions.”