RESIDENTS struggling to park outside their homes because of unrestricted parking are demanding action.

The residents of Ashcombe Close in Witney have also labelled the situation “dangerous” and fear emergency vehicles could struggle to get through.

They blame students at nearby Abingdon and Witney College and have called for the road to become a residents-only parking zone.

Stephanie Strange’s mother Phylis lives in Ashcombe Close.

She said: “I pick my mother up every day and I can’t get anywhere near her bungalow. It’s absolutely packed.

“My mum can’t walk at the moment, I have to pick her up in a wheelchair and I don’t want to park halfway down the road.

“There are cars parked all the way down the street – they are even parking across people’s driveways. It’s unfair for people who live there.

Ashcombe Close is just outside the town centre and, as well as Abingdon and Witney College, is close to Witney Community Hospital and Witney Police Station.

Mrs Strange added: “I would like the council to give the residents permits or put double yellow lines down there.”

Gillian Faulkner, 60, who also lives in Ashcombe Close, said: “It’s a nightmare because I can’t walk that far. I’ve got bad hips and back.

“If you park late at night you get a space but in the day you haven’t got a chance.”

Neighbour Barry Bryan, 68, said: “If there was an ambulance or fire engine that wanted to come here, it would have a hell of a job getting in. It is dangerous.

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “The county council has received requests for a residents’ parking scheme in Witney, however West Oxfordshire District Council has indicated that it does not currently support the ideas of charging for on-street parking or reserving spaces for residents only.”

District council spokesman Carys Davies said the council would be happy to arrange a meeting to look at parking issues.

She added: “Disabled people can apply to the county council (the highways authority) for a designated on-street parking space to assist them.”

Abingdon and Witney College deputy principle Di Batchelor said: “We are certainly sympathetic with any difficulties they are having parking and, if it is a problem with college students, we would be happy to talk to the students concerned.

“But most of our students during the day are 16 to 18 years old and do not drive.

“They come by bus or get dropped off by parents.”