RESIDENTS have hit out at Thames Valley Police HQ staff who they say are ‘clogging’ up roads with their parked cars.

Local shop owners say the parked cars disrupt businesses, making it difficult for employees and customers to park close by.

The police office on Oxford Road in Kidlington has a car park.

But, business owners say their customers are left without anywhere to park because police staff, and visitors using Fairfax Road, Cromwell Way and parking bays which are meant for business use on Oxford Road.

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Pete Milligan is the owner of Evolution Reptiles, a pet shop in the Fairfax Centre.

He said: “Police staff use our parking and it means our customers and staff sometimes struggle to park nearby.

“It affects my business.”

He explained: “I made a complaint directly to Thames Valley Police HQ about a year ago, but they weren’t very helpful.

“Their response was along the lines of: ‘It’s not private parking so it’s not illegal, so there’s little we can do.’ The situation hasn’t improved since.”

But, the force said they have not had any formal complaints logged in the system, and that people who work at the Kidlington headquarters are told to comply with parking restrictions put in place by the council.

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Road has a restriction of up to three hours, and is an access only road.

Patricia, who lives on Cromwell Way said it was ‘an accident waiting to happen’.

She added: “Sometimes the cars are parking right up to the corners, it’s dangerous.

“It’s absolutely horrendous, the situation has got worse and worse over the years.”

She said that police did try and make an effort to help the situation, explaining: “The police handed out a questionnaire a couple of months ago, but nothing came of it.”

Another resident, called Lisa, who lives close to the back entrance of the police base, said: “Tuesdays and Thursdays are the worst – because that’s when they have their meetings and the roads can be completely packed.

“I’ve been blocked into my own drive before, but I really feel more worry for those who find it harder to get around.

“If someone parks next to the drop kerb in front of my elderly neighbour’s house it causes a lot more problems.”

Oxford Mail:

A spokesperson at Thames Valley Police said: “We have not received an official complaint in relation to this case from Mr Milligan, however we would encourage anyone who wishes to make a formal complaint to please contact Thames Valley Police through our Professional Standards Department.”

The spokesman said that the force will not respond directly to complaints through the media.

Official complaints can be made to the department through the website's thanks and complaints system, at Thamesvalley.police.uk