MORE than £312,000, six public consultations and years of talks have so far come to nothing.

But now another round of consultation is under way to establish whether a new parking scheme is wanted by residents in East Oxford.

Oxfordshire County Council says plans for Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in the Divinity Road and Magdalen Road areas are back on track with “a final consultation” under way.

Developer funding of £257,000 is being put towards the project by Oxford University to ease the impact of the planned expansion of its research campus in Old Road.

The CPZs would protect spaces for residents as parking pressure increases in the area. The total cost is expected to be about £290,000.

But council spokesman Owen Morton said: “We cannot yet say what the cost of the latest consultation will be. But we will be trying to keep it to an absolute minimum, while ensuring that the job is done properly.”

A Magdalen Road CPZ was approved by the county council in 2009, but the decision proved controversial in the area and further consultation was deemed necessary.

A CPZ in the Divinity Road area was a much less contentious issue and had widespread support. The passage of time means another approval is now required.

Rodney Rose, the county council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “A lot of work has gone into planning of these schemes. It was frustrating for everyone when they were halted by the financial cuts.

“Now that the money is in place due to the university development we are finally in a position to pick up our work again.”

Mr Rose said divided opinion among residents had added to the difficulties.

He said: “We have received some criticism over the amount of consultation. However, our sole motivation throughout the process has always been to get things right for as many residents in the area as possible.

“We hope this will be a fresh start leading to a swift and satisfactory conclusion.”

Letters have been sent to more than 3,000 addresses within the proposed zones, giving details of the plans.

* Call 01865 815359 or visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/ cpzconsultations to find out more. Consultation documents will be available for viewing at the Cowley Library in Temple Road, the Central Library in the Westgate Centre and at County Hall. Deadline for responses is Friday, February 24.