Strike causes road delays (From Oxford Mail)

Strike causes road delays

9:06am Friday 20th April 2007 in News By The Page Turner

Striking staff at an Oxford park-and-ride site caused delays for drivers trying to get into the city during the rush-hour this morning.

Staff working at Seacourt park-and-ride, off Botley Road, were taking action between 7.30am and 8.30am.

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Picket lines were set up at Redbridge on Monday and at Pear Tree on Wednesday but the picket this morning caused the most significant disruption because buses were unable to use the bus lane as traffic backed up as it entered the car park.

Staff are striking because a new working system proposed by the council will mean they will have to patrol the car parks alone at night.

Similar disruption is expected next week at the three city council-run car parks.

'"We are not happy inconveniencing drivers but the management do not seem to care about our welfare or the users of the park-and-ride'

Unison representative Craig Barlow

Unison representative Craig Barlow said: "We are not happy inconveniencing drivers but the management do not seem to care about our welfare or the users of the park-and-ride.

"We will continue with picketing next week because that is the only way councillors and council officers will take notice."