CPZ... three letters which, on their own, mean nothing, but together spell... aggravation.

Indeed, ever since a residents’ parking scheme was first suggested for East Oxford, it has divided local opinion to such a degree that it has become increasingly difficult to see the road for the kerb.

The idea has been ping-ponged back and forth among residents and the county council for so long that it’s almost impossible to remember just what the arguments are or were.

However, what is certain is that the friction is still fresh.

Like a ‘damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t’ type board game, it will doubtless rumble on until each side’s arguments simply collapse under the weight of inertia.

So despite the fact half of those involved will dispute the following sentiment (while the other half of course applaud it), it seems at least a positive step that some of the intransigence which has haunted this debate will have finally been swept away by yesterday’s decision by county transport chief Rodney Rose to give the Divinity Road and Magdalen Road North zones the go-ahead, while delaying for six months a decision on Magdalen Road South.

At least all sides of the argument should now be able to assess just what the implications will truly mean in terms of their day-to-day lives.