One of Oxford's finest streets is being turned into a coach park, according to a survey by the city's Civic Society.

Earlier this year, the city and county councils introduced a pilot scheme to control coaches bringing tourists to St Giles.

Bays were created on both sides of the street to allow coaches to drop off and pick up passengers. Waiting time in the bays is limited to 20 minutes, with a £40 penalty for exceeding the limit.

But, according to Oxford Civic Society's survey, the scheme is not being properly enforced.

Tony Joyce, chairman of the society, said: "The double yellow line parking continues and the 20-minute limit bays are flouted. One of the finest roads in Oxford has been turned into a coach park."

The three-day survey monitored coach parking and found the rules were being consistently flouted.

The average length of stay, on one day, was 49 minutes, with one driver parking in a bay for five hours.

City councillor Colin Cook said: "The county council needs to get to grips with this problem."

County council transport planner Samantha Tharme said the survey findings would contribute towards a review in the New Year.