FROM today new parking restrictions will come into force in East Oxford.

Oxfordshire County Council has created the new Divinity Road controlled parking zone (CPZ), which will apply to streets including Bartlemas Road, Cowley Road, Parsons Place, Hill Top Road, Warneford Road and Divinity Road itself.

Only those who live within the zone – and their visitors – may park their cars in these streets, except for in a few designated short-stay spaces. This will apply at all times and residents will have to apply to the county council for a permit.

Each permit costs £50 per year and residents will be eligible for up to 50 visitor permits – the first 25 of these will be free and the next 25 will cost £16.

Business permits are available to businesses and hotel visitors’ permits will be made available for paying guests at hotels and guest houses within the zone.

A person who is temporarily a resident in the zone for study does not qualify for a permit.

The county council will also be introducing a small number of one hour and two-hour parking places within the zone which will apply every day between 8am and 6.30pm.

Exemptions to these new parking regulations apply to disabled badge holders, official funeral vehicles, loading and unloading, the emergency services and vehicles being used in connection with road works.