North Oxford pensioners are demanding the reinstatement of a shelter which was destroyed by arsonists.

Three years ago, a canopy over the parking ticket machine at the car park in Diamond Place, Summertown, was wrecked by fire.

City council managers promised to replace it but so far nothing has been done.

Pensioner Jane Mactaggart, of Rogers Street, North Oxford, said: “I use the car park when I go shopping and a few years ago they installed a new system where you have to key in your registration number before you can buy a ticket.

“The council did this so that it wouldn’t be cheated by people passing on their tickets.

“But it takes a long time and there is often a queue, with lots of shoppers getting rained on because there is no shelter.

“It’s very frustrating and it’s about time something was done.”

Jean Fooks, Liberal Democrat councillor for Summertown, added: “The shelter over the payment machine in the car park was damaged in a fire and people have been asking for a replacement shelter ever since.

“About two years ago there was a proposal to have a shelter provided by an advertising company, in return for an advertisement panel in the car park.

“After trying to buy a parking ticket in the rain, I asked when we could expect to have a shelter in place.

“I was told that the council is in the process of asking for more tenders from alternative suppliers – but in the meantime, when it rains, people have to juggle purse, coins, bags and umbrella while punching in their car registration number to get a ticket.

“This is not easy or pleasant – people might ask why we keep raising the parking fees but do not replace the shelter over the pay machine.

“The weather is fine at the moment, but it won’t be long before it is raining again and people need a decent shelter.

“The shelter should not cost the council anything to replace because it will be provided in return for advertising space.

“Other city council car parks have perfectly good shelters for the ticket machines.”

John Tanner, executive member for a cleaner, greener city, said: “I would like to thank Jean for drawing this to our attention and it is something that I will raise at the next executive board meeting.”