The Oxford Mail    Tuesday 19th May 2009

Divinity Road parking plan sparks protest

HUNDREDS of East Oxford residents have called on Oxfordshire County Council to re-think plans to introduce a Controlled Parking Zone in the Divinity Road area. The council wants to introduce parking bays and permits for residents in 14 streets to reduce commuter parking and to improve access for emergency service vehicles. The £135,000 scheme means residents would have to pay £40 for a permit to park outside their homes.

Today, an 800-name petition was handed to council transport chief Ian Hudspeth, opposing the plans, which would see vehicles parked partially on pavements.

Lynne Trenery, 48, of Southfield Road, said: “We believe the current recommendations encroach far too much on to pavements – and cannot see why the council can’t introduce a design which simply marks bays on the road surface. “Our pavements are narrow enough as it is, and we don’t want to lose them to parked cars.”

Householders fear wheelchair users would use the road instead of the pavement. Davina Collins-Emslie, co-ordinator at Jack Howarth House, a care home for severely disabled adults in Hill Top Road, said: “Our residents won’t be able to access the local community.”

Mr Hudspeth said the scheme would stop dangerous parking on pavements and street corners.