The number of parking permits in West Oxford could be slashed in a bid to combat chronic on-street congestion.

Each household is entitled to two permits but Oxfordshire County Council has floated the idea of reducing that to one.

The suggestion was made in a questionnaire about parking proposals sent to West Oxford residents who will be affected by the introduction of controversial parking charges later this year.

The council is sending letters to all properties in the West Oxford Controlled Zone - the residential area either side of Botley Road from the railway station to Lamarsh Road, including Botley Road itself.

Residents have been asked if the parking situation was serious enough to warrant a proposal to halve the permit entitlement.

County Hall said the idea was at an early stage and part of an exercise to maximise on-street parking spaces in the area.

David Tole, the council's team leader for Traffic Regulation Orders, said: "There are no firm proposals and when and if there are proposals we would consult formally."

Mr Tole added: "Situations change locally and residents parking must be flexible enough to accommodate those changes.

"If it is found that any change to present arrangements is a possibility, we will consult."

Barrett Street resident Frances Melvin said people often risked a ticket on yellow lines just to park near their home.

She said some residents felt it was unreasonable to introduce parking charges when a space could not be guaranteed.

Mrs Melvin added: "We might end up paying twice, once for a permit and once for a parking ticket."

But she said reducing the permits to one per household would cause difficulties for some families. She said: "For us one car is okay, but for others it's not so easy."

Susanna Pressel, city councillor for Jericho and Osney, said many residents backed the restriction of permits to one per household.

But she added: "I feel it will be problematic for quite a few families."