A CHILDREN’S football club will tell city councillors that plans to bring in car parking charges at an Oxford park could have a “terrible impact” on sport in the area.

Summertown Stars AFC, which has 400 players aged between six and 18, collected more than 600 signatures on a petition against proposals to charge for parking at Cutteslowe Park.

If Oxford City Council’s plans are implemented, it would mean parents of youngsters playing at Cutteslowe would have to pay up to £2 every time they watch their children play.

Proposals to introduce parking fees of 50p for the first half hour, £1 for two hours and £2 for up to four hours at the park’s two car parks will be discussed on Monday at the council’s value and performance scrutiny committee.

It has also proposed introducing car parking tariffs at Hinksey Park, Port Meadow, Alexandra Court, Court Place Farm, Horspath Rec and Cowley Marsh Rec.

Club vice-chairman Roger Parry said the Stars had tried to keep costs to parents as low as possible to encourage children to play football.

He said: “The feeling against this is very strong.

“We are bringing kids to play football, keep fit, reduce obesity and give boys of a certain age something to do.

“Some parents have kids of different ages playing in different teams, and they will face a steep increase in the amount they play.

“The coalition against this is broader, including other park users and nearby residents who do not want their streets clogged with cars by people who do not want to pay.”

Mr Parry said parents of children playing in more than one league could see the annual cost of taking them to football training double.

Mum Deborah Stanbury, who is among those who signed the petition, said: “We spend all of Sunday morning and all of Sunday afternoon at Cutteslowe Park with each of our sons who play at different times in different Summertown Stars leagues.

“Sadly to get home, have lunch and return for our other son, means that we don’t have time to take public transport, walk or even cycle. These costs will make us review whether our boys can play football any more.”

Club coach David Shepherd said: “It will impact terribly upon disadvantaged kids and the football club.”

City council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “There will be full consultation on the proposals. If proposals are approved we will be liaising with the groups who use the facilities most frequently.”