TRADERS fear a new parking scheme planned for East Oxford will hit business and cause tension among householders.

Oxfordshire County Council plans to turn Magdalen Road and Divinity Road into controlled parking zones, which businesses claim will leave customers “fighting for spaces”.

Roads in Iffley Fields have been dropped from the scheme following similar complaints from local people.

Councillors are due to make a decision on Thursday. If they go ahead, homes would face a £40 charge for permits, with businesses paying £100.

Sam Diliberto, 43, of Giovanni’s Barber Shop in Magdalen Road, said: “It’s very worrying. It looks like it is a done and dusted deal, which does not seem to take into account the needs of traders.

“The council has not listened to what people have said. We are losing parking spaces. Many of our customers drive, but if they start having problems parking they will go elsewhere.

“The spaces that are available will always be full as people from across the neighbourhood fight for them. It won’t work.”

Aquatic shop The Goldfish Bowl has been based in Magdalen Road for 57 years.

Barry Allday, a partner in the business, said he might have to close the shop if the scheme caused customer levels to drop.

He said: “I am genuinely worried. The future is uncertain.

“This scheme is also going to cause conflicts between residents and businesses because everybody will be after just a few parking spaces.”

Jane Jakeman, manager of the Bloomin’ Chic flower shop, said: “All the traders are united in their anger over this scheme.

“It will reduce passing trade and present so many problems to us and our customers. We are all very worried, because as far as I can see there is no need for this scheme.”

Almost half of Oxford’s 1,200 roads are now covered by residential parking zones.

The county council says the scheme will protect residents from “intrusive commuter parking”.

Head of transport Steve Howell said: “Oxford is a medieval city that was never designed to cope with the number of cars on its streets in terms of both driving and parking.

“Oxford is not unique in this regard. There are many other historic cities that have the same problems, with commuter parking leading to residents becoming frustrated that they cannot park close to their homes.

“The very fact that so many places across England use controlled parking zones as the solution speaks volumes.

“They are not an instant cure-all panacea, but they make an important contribution to reducing congestion, as well as protecting parking spaces for residents.”

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk