MEMBERS of a football club are fighting plans for new charges at a car park that parents use when youngsters play.

Summertown Stars Football Club use Cutteslowe Car Park on Harbord Road, which is currently free to use.

But Oxford City Council, in attempts to increase its income, plans to raise charges in car parks across the city – meaning mum and dads of Star players could have to fork out around £2 every time they use it.

Club vice chairman Roger Parry said: “There are around 400 boys and girls who use this club, and imposing these charges would be wholly unfair.

“The club has always tried to keep fees very low so that it is open to everyone, but this charge would represent a significant cost to parents over a year.”

A petition has now been signed by more than 500 supporters, which will be presented to the council today.

One resident wrote: “Oxford City Council should encourage exercise, not deter it.”

Another said: “This is a tax on fresh air. I have never been to a park which you have to pay to visit.”

And another wrote: “I support sport for all and believe that people should be allowed to park free of charge to participate. With the cost of pitch hire and proposed car parking fees then some local clubs may cease to exist.”

Mr Parry said: “We are bringing sport to the kids, you’d think that was something that should be commended.”

He added there were also worries that parents would instead choose to park on neighbouring streets.

Suzanne McIvor, secretary of the Harbord Road Area Residents’ Association, said: “I just think these plans are flawed, the council won’t generate the amount of money they think they will.”

Mrs McIvor said people would instead choose to park on the streets, where there are no restrictions.

She said: “Parking on side streets has, for the past few years, been an increasing problem for residents who live in the roads adjacent to Cutteslowe Park especially on summer weekends and bank holidays.

“The introduction of parking charges will inevitably make the problem worse because the majority of people will choose to park in the side streets rather than pay for parking.”

Louisa Dean, city council spokesman, said: “We are proposing to introduce minimal charging in our parks in the city.

“This is a proposal which will be decided at Full Council during the budget setting process. There will be full consultation on the proposals.

“If proposals are approved we will be liaising with the groups who use the facilities the most frequently.”

The proposals will be discussed at a full city council meeting this evening.