Proposed parking zones in an Oxford suburb must be more flexible if they are to fulfil their purpose of protecting residents, householders have told transport officials.

Headington residents fear the zones could be enforced in areas where parking is not a problem, putting unnecessary restrictions on visitors.

The plans cover Girdlestone Road, Headington Quarry, and north east Headington, including Margaret Road.

But people living in streets around the zones fear they will suffer knock-on effects, with commuter parking clogging already congested streets. Householders explained their concerns at Oxford City Council's north east area committee.

A Margaret Road resident, who asked not to be named, opposed the plan.

She said there were 20 to 30 parking spaces in the street, adding: "This scheme turns all of them, except five or six spaces, into residents' parking. We want something much more flexible that supports community life."

Bill Holman, of New Marston Residents' Association, said: "There has been a knock-on effect on William Street and John Garne Way since the reduced parking was introduced at the university and the hospitals. Students at Oxford Brookes park outside our houses. It will get worse with the parking zones."

James Gagg, an Oxfordshire County Council transport planner, said he would take the comments on board, but he said parking zones needed to be consistent or they would be difficult to enforce.

He said there were two-hour spaces for visitors in various roads and residents could apply for visitor passes for longer periods.