Hopes of setting up residents' parking schemes in Wallingford have been dashed, because of a staffing crisis at Oxfordshire County Council.

County area engineer Brian Short told town councillors in a letter his department was not considering any new requests for residents' parking orders, until it had dealt with a backlog of work.

Mr Short said: "There have been many changes to the area traffic team over the last two years.

"This has resulted in a team without the knowledge or skills currently to progress permanent Traffic Regulation Orders.

"This will be overcome with training and the present deficit has been plugged by the employment of a specialist consultant.

"Until last autumn we were unable to proceed with any permanent orders and a backlog has built up."

The likely two-year delay was greeted with dismay by town councillors, who say there is very strong demand for residents' parking zones throughout the town, including Wantage Road, Thames Street, High Street and on various estates.

The town council sent round a questionnaire which received very strong backing for schemes, even though people realised it would cost them and did not automatically guarantee a parking area outside their own homes.

Wallingford mayor Nigel Moor said: "I am appalled and angry at this letter.

"We are writing in the strongest possible terms to the new director for environment and economy, Richard Dudding, telling him he has a very unhappy town on his hands.

"We want and have been asked for residents' parking orders and have tried for years to get them.

"Now it looks as though none will be forthcoming for at least another two years.

"The situation is dreadful."

Fellow councillor Pat Granados said: "We have an immediate and pressing problem over parking in Wallingford.

"It should not be beyond county officers to deal with this small but very important difficulty."