PLANS for a residents’ parking scheme in Banbury have been thrown into doubt over funding issues.

Last February, Cherwell District Council announced five zones across the town would be considered for residents-only parking, affecting about 3,000 properties.

Two areas — covering Merton Street, Causeway and Bath, Broughton, Kings Road and Queens Roads – have already been dropped from the scheme for lack of support from residents.

But the rest of the scheme has now been plunged into doubt after a row between Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council over who would pay for it.

Originally, the county agreed to pay the £200,000 set-up fee. But it has now backed out, saying the initiative is not a “transport priority”.

The scheme can only go ahead if the district council takes over parking enforcement in its area from the police. But for that to happen, there must first be a full survey of road markings.

The scheme was due to start in May, but even if the district agrees to pay the set-up costs, it is unlikely to be launched for a further 15 months.

Nigel Morris, the district council’s executive member for community safety, street scene and rural issues, said: “We are in a difficult position.

“We would like to take civil parking on and one big bonus is we can enforce on-street parking. We ought to bite the bullet and get on with it.

“The scheme cannot go ahead until enforcement is there.”

He believes that if the council was responsible for parking enforcement, there would be less irresponsible parking because the streets would be better patrolled.

County council transport chief Ian Hudspeth said it was “unable to divert its limited budgets from other priorities”.

He added: “Should Cherwell wish to proceed with the scheme, we would require that it bears all costs and risks.”

Cherwell’s executive will decide on Monday whether to proceed.

banbury@oxfordmail.co.uk