A RESIDENTS’ parking permit scheme has come into force in Cutteslowe and North Oxford.

Oxfordshire County Council bosses had originally pledged to bring it in at the end of May, but were held up because of issues with signage that was not approved by the Department of Transport.

As a result of the delay some residents bought permits well in advance of the rules being brought in. Now county councillor for Summertown and Wolvercote Jean Fooks has called for those people to have their permits extended. She said: “Ideally the renewal date for all permits should be November 30, 2015.

“This would mean that people will not be penalised for buying permits some time ago before the restrictions were in force.”

County council spokesman Dominic Llewellyn-Jones said that was being considered.

He said: “The council are considering options in order to compensate residents affected.

“We will have more information once a decision has been made.”

Parking problems in North Oxford have been caused by commuters not wanting to pay for the Water Eaton park-and-ride.

It has also been made worse by Oxford City Council’s policy of charging people to use car parks such as Cutteslowe Park.

Mrs Fooks added: “It is a great relief that it is now fully in place and will be enforced.”

Due to the string of delays stopping the zone coming into force, it is understood that vehicles without permits will only be issued with warning notices for the first two weeks – after a start date of October 18.

After that, penalties will be enforced normally.

Our top stories

 

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.