CARS blocking a service road alongside an Oxford shopping parade have left traders fearing for their businesses.

Owners of the shops in Cherwell Drive, Marston, blame Oxfordshire County Council for not enforcing a three-hour waiting limit in the road.

But the county council said that the limit only applies to two parking-for-the-disabled bays.

The problem has been made worse because customers can no longer park in adjacent streets when the service road is full, due to the introduction of a residents-only parking zone.

Traders said that if the situation was not dealt with soon it may force some of them out of business.

Sandra Kerwood, who owns Seasons Delicatessen, said: "It's really starting to have an impact on my business.

"I often get here in the morning, and there might be one space left if you're lucky, and then it will stay like that for the rest of the day.

"There is one car that has been out there for the past six months. It's been there so long that it's starting to turn green with mould.

"We don't have a public car park like Summertown and Headington. These parking spaces are all we have.

"We have spoken to the council about this for some time but they are being extremely slow and have said it might take six to eight months to make changes.

"But my business might not be here then if this goes on for much longer."

Colin Organ, owner of Oxford Car Audio, said customers had told him they were shopping elsewhere as they had not been able to park.

He said: "It's hard to put a figure on it but this is definitely affecting my business. It's time the council acted."

Jo Woodward, who works at the Pads and Paws pet shop, said: "This is having a big impact on us as customers need to park close by because the sacks of feed are very heavy."

Joy White, from the county council Oxford transport strategy team, said a feasibility study was being held into the possible implementation of a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in the area and that a decision was expected soon.

She added: "This needs to be considered alongside the priority for other potential zones in the city.

"If we do not go ahead with a CPZ, we will look into the possibility of promoting parking restrictions covering the road, but this will depend on available funding and resource priorities."