Residents are fuming over plans to introduce pay and display bays in Woodstock, calling it "a misguided decision which runs roughshod over local opinion".

The bays and permit parking areas in the town centre were approved at a county council meeting at the end of May.

The local authority’s new cabinet member for highways management – Andrew Gant – approved the three-hour pay and display bays, with the first hour free and exemptions for permit holders, as well as ‘ultra-short’ bays which will be free for half an hour.

The decision followed a consultation earlier this year in which over 50 per cent of respondents objected to the introduction of paid parking bays and the feedback on permit-holder parking was variable depending on whether respondents were based in Woodstock or outside.

READ ALSO: Cowley barmaid injured on night of England's Euros defeat, court told

Susan Moss, who has written to West Oxfordshire MP Robert Courts and Shadow Cabinet Member for Highways Liam Walker, said: “How can this be implemented against the will of the majority? It seems a re-run of the scenario facing Witney with the closure of the High Street to vehicles which also was not supported."

Ms Moss said the measures will not resolve the central issue that the town needs more free parking.

She added: "The crusade of OCC to encourage - push - people into walking and cycling and reduce car use is not reality for those who live in the villages, who take children to school, do shopping, elderly or disabled.

"The provision of miles of cycle paths and many cycle stands cannot make people use them if it is not practical - as is evidenced each day in West Oxfordshire. It may be different in the centre of Oxford, but this is not where we live."

Woodstock resident Duncan Smith wrote to Mr Gant after the meeting, saying: “I write as a town centre resident myself – and I can tell you the current parking arrangements do indeed work – and I see little of the supposed 'underlying problem' of which you spoke."

He said the impact on Woodstock’s "fragile economy could easily be an adverse one".

"If the price I have to pay for a vibrant local economy is not always being able to park right outside my house then I am very happy to pay it."

READ ALSO: Debate over damage done to trees by fairy doors reignited

He said he saw no evidence of strong support for the proposed changes, referring to a town poll in which 404 respondents opposed them and only 54 supported them.

Mr Duncan said Mr Gant "glibly dismissed" that poll in the meeting owing to its “leading” wording.

"Sadly you have proved what so many of your electors always feared, that public consultations are just window dressing exercises", he wrote.

Oxfordshire County Council said the changes were in response to residents' concerns over many years and aimed at increasing the turnover of parking for businesses, encouraging more short journeys by foot, and improving action against inconsiderate parkers, while generating revenue to fund the scheme and provide effective enforcement.

A further assessment by council officers is to be undertaken, to consider introducing permits for visitors to hotels and guest houses in Woodstock.

This will require further public consultation.