Oxfordshire parking changes called 'opposite of LTNs'

The county council has launched a public consultation on plans to introduce new ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions, which are double yellow lines, on various roads in Wheatley.

This comes in response to concerns raised that some cars had been forced to mount the pavement due to "the old and narrow roads not being wide enough" to accommodate traffic alongside parked vehicles.

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Objector and Wheatley householder Simon Carr said: "Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to remove parking spaces in Church Road for a distance of approximately 50 metres eastward.

"This will remove a significant amount of parking for properties with no off-road options available.

"Church Road is not suited to current traffic conditions due to age and existing parking.

St Mary's Church on Church Road in Wheatley.

"By removing the parking spaces the council will exacerbate the problems faced by making it easier for through traffic to travel down the road.

"In essence this proposal is the exact opposite of the LTNs."

Mr Carr said the proposal "ran contrary" to LTN initiatives implemented in Oxford and he believes putting a bus gate in Church Road would be a better solution.

Oxfordshire County Council said the proposal, which is open for formal public consultation until April 19, has been developed with the input of the local county councillor as well as Wheatley Town Council.

Tim Bearder, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Wheatley, expressed surprise over the suggestion to implement a bus gate.

Mr Bearder said: "This has nothing to do with LTNs.

"It is completely different interventions for completely different roads.

"We are by no means taking away all the street parking.

"A bus gate is completely unreasonable and wouldn't get the support of the majority of the village.

Tim Bearder. (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

"Businesses on Church Road would cry foul.

"There are shops who rely on passing trade and customers.

"It would be disproportionately expensive for what is a modest village road."

When asked how traders in Wheatley differed to those in east Oxford, where the county council's LTNs have been criticised by business owners, Mr Bearder said the scenario was "completely different".

He added: "This is a village location with a small number of cars rather than a city with main arterial routes."

Both Mr Bearder and Mr Carr recognised the existing issue with the old Wheatley village roads.

Mr Carr added: "It is extremely common to have vehicles of all sizes mount the pavement putting the safety of pedestrians and people waiting at the bus stop in significant danger.

"Add to this the sheer volume of traffic at certain times of day and you begin to see the problem."