Michael Quinn of Bailey Road Residents in 16 Oxford streets are having to move their cars to the opposite side of the road during the day because of "crazy" parking restrictions.

People living in the roads in Cowley have criticised Oxfordshire County Council for reviving an old scheme, which means they cannot leave their cars parked in the same spot all day.

The restrictions, brought in to stop commuters parking in residential streets, are in force on one side of the road from 1pm to 2pm and on the other side of the road from 3pm to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays.

This means that if someone parks their car on the side of the road with a no parking restriction between 1pm and 2pm, they have to shift it across the road at 1pm and then back again at 3pm or risk a ticket.

People who park on the other side of the street where the no parking restrictions run from 3pm to 4pm, have to move their cars across the road at 3pm to avoid a ticket.

The scheme applies to Bailey Road, Barns Road, Bleache Place, Boswell Road, Coleridge Close, Dodgson Road, Fern Hill Road, Frederick Road, Knolles Road, Napier Road, Oliver Road, Phipps Road, St Luke's Road, Salegate Lane, Sunnyside and Temple Road.

But Norma and Michael Quinn, of Bailey Road, said it was a "crazy situation". Mrs Quinn said: "It has not solved any of the parking problems. We can't park outside our own homes." Another resident, Chris Cunningham, who lives with his wife Katherine and two-year-old daughter Eva, said there had been more complaints from residents about getting parking tickets than commuters.

Mr Cunningham, who like many other residents does not have a driveway or a garage, said: "Everyone is aware the solution the council has come up with is causing more problems than it was trying to solve."

Mrs Cunningham said their daughter's afternoon nap was often interrupted because she had to move the car from one side of the road to the other.

She said: "One day when the traffic wardens were out, there were only about five cars on the road and they all belonged to residents.

"I managed to move my car in time but had to strap Eva in the car seat first.

"I can see how it is tempting to leave children in the house. I would never do that, but you wonder how some parents cope. It is a pain."

Sajjad Malik, Liberal Democrat city councillor for Cowley Marsh, said the restrictions were the equivalent of a "nanny state" at a county level.

He said: "They are ludicrous. The council should have properly consulted the residents before implementing them."

County council spokesman Paul Smith said the restrictions had always been in place but the signs and lines had deteriorated so they could not be enforced.

He added that the scheme had been reintroduced following calls from residents and councillors.

"Some people who live in the area took exception to this and made the council aware of their objections," he said.

"The council is now considering the best way forward."