RESIDENTS on an Oxford estate fear roadworks at a park-and-ride site will cause parking misery for them next week.

On Monday, Oxfordshire County Council will start repairing an access road used by buses at Thornhill park-and-ride.

The work will last all week and reduce parking spaces by 100.

Van Coulter, city councillor for the nearby Sandhills estate, said: “Parking is a continuing problem and one of the top three things people mention when I walk round the estates.

“The problem is particularly acute between 8.30am and 9am, when the car park is usually full.

“In their desperation to find parking, people go to nearby estates and I’ve known them park across driveways and block streets.

“It’s so inconsiderate, people living near the park-and-ride are plagued by overflow cars.”

Mr Coulter said the loss of 100 spaces next week would highlight how bad the problem had become.

Part of the road which has sunk under the weight of buses turning in and out of the site will be resurfaced.

The park-and-ride, which has 850 spaces, will remain open, with parking spaces gradually cordoned off over the weekend.

Fellow city councillor Mike Rowley said: “I’ve been campaigning for the planned extension to Thornhill to go ahead, because of the overflow parking on Sandhills, which is a significant problem for the residents.

“It is especially bad when combined with parents of children at the primary school needing to park at the beginning and end of the school day.

“An expansion to Thornhill would greatly ease the situation but the temporary closure of part of it will make things worse while it lasts.”

He added: “I’ve written to the county council asking them how long this will take, and urging them to move as quickly as possible.”

In December 2009, county council officers recommended another 540 spaces at Thornhill.

Rodney Rose, cabinet member for transport, said although next week’s work might be painful in the short term, it had to be done.

He said: “Thornhill is the busiest of our park-and-rides and anyone who uses it regularly will know the site can fill up to capacity very quickly – especially on weekdays.

“This temporary reduction in parking spaces will obviously put further pressure on the site next week. However, there is no doubt the work needs to be carried out as soon as possible to ensure the future operation of the site.”

He added: “As always we will seek to get the job done as swiftly as possible and keep the disruption to a minimum.

“The planning application for the expansion has now been put in, but the council does not have funding set aside for the proposal.

“The application is important to keep the ball rolling, so when central funding does come through, we can get started.”

The repair work is due to end next Friday.

HALF-TERM HOLD-UPS

  • A415 between Witney and Abingdon will be closed at Newbridge for bridge repairs and resurfacing from Monday to Friday.
  • A44 resurfacing through Enstone, between Woodstock and Chipping Norton, from Monday to Friday. Long delays expected.
  • B4022 between Witney and Charlbury closed at Finstock station for strengthening of the railway bridge from 7am to 7pm daily, from tomorrow until Sunday, February 27.
  • Stert Street, Abingdon, closed overnight for resurfacing from 7pm to 6am, Monday to Thursday. Bus services which normally use High Street stops will be affected. Check with the operators for details.
  • First Turn, Wolvercote, closed for resurfacing from Monday to Friday. Oxford Bus Company route 6 will be diverted to run via Woodstock Road and Wolvercote roundabout.