DOUBLE yellow lines could be introduced in Wolvercote to help buses move through the village’s crowded streets.

Oxfordshire County Council is looking at lines for Godstow Road after concerns from Oxford Bus Company about its City6 service.

The firm said an increasing number of parked cars is making it harder to run the service to Oxford via Marston Ferry Road and Woodstock Road.

Lines would go on both sides at the junctions of Elmthorpe Road and Rowland Close, and near Jacob’s Inn.

But length of lines have been cut at Elmthorpe Road and near Wolvercote Common after concerns about the impact on resident parking.

One Godstow Road resident told the council: “The new restrictions will force them to park elsewhere, thus moving the problem to another part of Wolvercote.”

Oxford Bus Company operations director Phil Southall said: “Our City6 service to and from Wolvercote and the city centre is a vital lifeline for people in the area.

“From time to time the service is badly delayed by cars parked on both sides of the road, especially at the corner of Clifford Place and Home Close.

“When this happens the buses can’t turn the corner and complete their route. As a result the service has to be curtailed.”

He said: “We’ve been in discussions with the local councillors for some time and we hope that new parking restrictions on a few short stretches of road will ease the problem and help many hundreds of passengers who rely on the service.

“Finding a sustainable solution is essential to ensure that we can continue to serve the area.”

County councillor for Summertown and Wolvercote Jean Fooks welcomed the restrictions, but is concerned about parking arrangements further down the road, by Jacob’s Inn.

She said: “They have put lines on the wrong side of the road where there is no pavement.

“The problem is that people are parking on the pavement – which means people cannot get by – but at the moment it doesn’t look like they are wanting to change that.”

Council deputy director for environment and economy Mark Kemp said: “The proposals supplement the restrictions which were introduced several years ago around Home Close and Rosamund Road to assist bus movements.

“Since then the introduction of larger vehicles on to the route has brought further problems.”

The impact of the changes – funded with contributions by developers – will be monitored, he said.

Cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith will be asked to approve the plans tomorrow at County Hall, New Road, Oxford, from 10am. The public can attend.

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