PEOPLE affected by a long-standing parking problem have said it could be solved cheaply and easily - if only Oxfordshire County Council would listen to them.

People living in Chillingworth Crescent, in Wood Farm, Oxford, said cars parked on both sides of the narrow, curved road have long been reducing access and safety.

Residents said they have told the county council they want to widen the pavement on one side of the road into a grass verge, and allow cars to park on the pavement, increasing the gap in the middle of the road.

Pete Bonney, chairman of Churchill Community Tenants' and Residents' Association, said: "The council has said it's too expensive to put proper parking bays in place, so we have come up with a simple solution.

"All it would take is to widen the pavement and then paint a line down half of it where cars could park.

"They have done this up by the Churchill Hospital, so I cannot see why it cannot be done here - it's simple common sense.

"When the area was developed 50 years ago there were a lot fewer cars. Now there are six blocks of flats and the road cannot cope.

"Cars have to wait at one end of the road to see if it's safe to go through the gap between the cars, but it's difficult to see because it is on a bend."

Association member Anne Gomm said: "I think it's disgusting and it's dangerous for the children.

"We wonder what would happen in an emergency and a fire engine or ambulance needed to get through - it would just be impossible.

"The cars have got to get on the pavement."

Mrs Gomm's husband John said: "The road layout is totally out of date and it is unsafe for the children."

Sarah Strong, 24, who lives in neighbouring Nuffield Road, said: "It's a safety concern more than anything else.

"Cars speed down here and there are always cars on both sides of the road. They should extend the pavement and put bollards up so children can still play on the grass."

The council said it was looking into the possibilities of changing the parking arrangements on the road.

Ian Hudspeth, cabinet member for transport implementation, said: "We're currently looking at parking hotspots such as Chillingworth Crescent, which have come to our attention due to the recent controlled parking zone feasibility study.

"The council will seek to work with local residents to find some kind of parking control solution which is acceptable to everybody.

"We understand that there are concerns about parking on the pavement, but we will consult with the local community to see what provides the best solution for the area."