PLANS for more Controlled Parking Zones [CPZs] have been halted in Blackbird Leys after residents expressed their dismay at the idea.

Oxfordshire County Council announced that, after its informal consultation with Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys last month, plans to force residents to buy permits to park on their own streets have been put on hold indefinitely, and will only continue depending on funding availability.

The consolation showed that an overwhelming 81 per cent residents on the Blackbird Leys estate did not support the plans,and in Greater Leys 72 per cent did not support the proposals.

Read here: Blackbird Leys locals oppose controlled parking zones

Residents in Blackbird Leys spoke out about their concerns about the parking permits being too expensive, particularly during the pandemic.

One local, Bonnie Bee, wrote on Blackbird Leys Community Facebook page at the time of the proposals that she was ‘so angry’ about the prospect of having to pay for ‘expensive parking permits’.

She added: “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.”

The decision to halt the CPZ plan for the Leys has pleased some city councillors.

Read also: Controlled Parking Zone row as locals forced to park on the street pay fines

City councillor for Blackbird Leys ward Linda Smith said: “There is a big collective sigh of relief coming from Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys as residents hear this news.

“Parking is a problem for residents on the estate, but new controlled parking zones are not the appropriate solution, and many residents were against being forced to pay for permits at this time when too many people are struggling to make ends meet already.

“The city council will continue to invest in new landscaped parking areas and consider local permit schemes for hotspots like we have in Druce Way and Pegasus Road, these are more appropriate responses to parking issues and certainly more likely to find favour with residents.”

Fellow city councillor Hosnieh Djafari Marbini, representing Northfield Brook ward, also praised the council’s decision to listen to residents' views.

She said: “It’s great to see CPZ plans for Blackbird Leys being shelved after the county council heard the views of our residents via the consultation process.

“The residents were overwhelmingly against introducing parking charges outside their homes which would have meant an extra living cost during this difficult pandemic year.”