PLANTERS and bike racks have been installed on a pavement to stop illegal parking, the council has said.

Oxfordshire County Council added the street furniture to Windmill Road, Headington, in November, leading residents to question why they had been installed.

The authority has now confirmed that the installation followed requests from residents asking for measures to stop drivers illegally parking on the pavement.

The work was carried out using money from Councillor Roz Smith’s 2020-21 Councillor Priority Fund.

The cash is set aside to support priorities in the councillor's area. This is carried out at the discretion of individual county councillors to award.

Some people claimed that they had not been consulted beforehand however the council said a consultation had taken place with views sought from businesses and residents.

Cllr Smith, who represents Headington and the Quarry, said: “The call by residents and shoppers alike to stop the pavement parking along Windmill Road footway has been going on for some years.

“Bollards were suggested initially but I was keen to take the opportunity to install some lovely greenery in the centre of Headington.”

In February the council agreed to set aside £945,000 for Councillor Priority Fund - this means there is a budget of £15,000 per councillor across 2021/22 and 2022/23.