Shopkeepers in Turl Street say their businesses are suffering because Oxford University Students are blocking the road with parked cars.

Students moving into rooms at Lincoln College park their cars on both sides of the road, making it impossible for vans and emergency vehicles to get through.

The college has an agreement with Oxfordshire County Council allowing its students to park in Turl Street at the beginning and end of each term.

Cars can stay for a maximum of 30 minutes and must display a valid permit issued by the university.

But Stephen Pritchard, co-owner of Rowell of Oxford Ltd, claims cars parked on the pavement block his window display and ruin trade.

He said: "This happens twice a term and they shouldn't be allowed to park here."

His business partner Mary Faulkner added: "It's terrible how they are allowed to park on the pavement. Anyone in a wheelchair wouldn't be able to get through."

Alistair Hector, of Edinburgh, parked in Turl Street to help his son move in to the college. He believes the parking arrangements are the best possible.

He said: "Under the circumstances, the parking arrangements are as good as they could be. Oxford is tight for parking."

Bob Avery, right, of shoe shop Ducker & Son, is also fed up with the disruption.

He said: "The students should be allowed to park only on the opposite side of the street to the shops and only 12 cars at a time.

"They are meant to be unloading for 30 minutes but some of them have been here for five hours. If it was one of us we wouldn't get away with it."

Lincoln College lodge manager Kevin Keen, said the county council should be held responsible.

He said: "If people park outside these time limits it is not our responsibility. We just want our students to unload and leave."

County council parking manager Helen Crozier said: "The council is legally obliged to allow loading and unloading for people legitimately engaged in the task.

"Our parking attendants monitor this and also keep a very close watch on access issues, particularly for emergency vehicles. This is not an easy situation to manage."