Blackbird Leys controlled parking zones: locals anger

Earlier this month Oxfordshire County Council announced plans for more CPZs across Oxford, which could see drivers having to pay £65 to park outside their homes.

Since the announcement, residents from Blackbird Leys have expressed upset at the plans.

Read also: Aldi to enforce new ban that will affect every store in England

Several residents joined the online Blackbird Leys Parish Council monthly meeting on Tuesday evening to raise their concerns and confusions over the introduction of CPZs to the area.

One resident said: “I don’t know why they are doing it.”

Blackbird Leys GVs 09/02/2021 Picture by Ed Nix

Another local, Bonnie Bee, wrote on the Blackbird Leys Community Facebook group: “I am so angry about the proposal of expensive parking permits in our community.

“Many adult children living with their parents are needing a car to travel to work and god forbid to even socialise and have a small bit of independence.

“Oxford is expensive enough as it is.”

Read also: Man fights council to open a chicken shop

Councillors are now urging residents to fill out the questionnaire asking for feedback, so they can best represent locals views.

After the issue was raised in the parish council meeting, Councillor Linda Smith, who represents Blackbird Leys ward, said: “I don’t believe that it will change because I don’t think there will be much appetite from people, it is very localised where there are problems [in Blackbird Leys] and there we have localised permit schemes, as we have in the leisure centre.”

Ms Smith reinforced her point on the community Facebook page: “Most parking pressures are caused by resident’s own vehicles and so a CPZ won’t help.

“The current approach of bringing in very local permit schemes where necessary (like we’ve done on Pegasus Rd opposite the Leisure Centre and Druce Way) together with continued investment in more landscaped parking areas is the right thing to do.

“Residents need to respond to the consultation so the county council properly understands the strength of local opinion on this.”

Rea here: Villagers told if they protest again they will be fined by the police

According to a county council transport chief, the zones are not aimed at punishing local drivers, but stopping commuters driving into Oxford from parking their cars on residential roads.

Councillor Rae Humberstone, who also represents Blackbird Leys ward, however, said that the introduction of CPZs is the last thing residents need during a pandemic.

He said: “People do not want it. They have got enough on their plate right now, so the last thing they need is to pay £65 for the permit.

“We have got a problem with traffic, but this is not the right time to be thinking about it.”

City councillor Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, who represents the Northfield Brook ward, echoed Mr Humberstone’s thoughts.

She said: “I have been trying my best on the Blackbird Leys Facebook to convince everyone to fill in the county consultation, but understandably people worry that plans have been pre-set considering there is no option to say ‘no CPZ’ on the form.

New areas of Oxford where drivers will need a permit to park outside their home

Read also: 'Do your shopping elsewhere': Oxford Mail readers react to Tesco closure

“There is real anger amongst residents especially considering the impact of the pandemic on residents financially and the reason was given, which is around commuter parking, is non-existent in the Leys.

“It is crucial that our residents have a real say in this process.”

To fill out the questionnaire please visit www.consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/CPZInformalJan21?