Traders call for return of bays

The traders claim suppliers find it harder to reach their businesses and drivers are parking their vehicles on the pavement, despite double yellow lines.

The bays, between The Queen’s College and the High Street bus gate, were removed at the end of last year.

David Marcus, who runs Reginald Davis jewellers, said traders had sent a letter to the council to ask for the bays to be reinstated.

He said: “This affects deliveries for businesses and catering deliveries for the college, and is becoming an increasing problem.

“In theory, you are supposed to be able to unload while you are parked on the double yellow lines, but drivers park on the pavement to indicate they’re making deliveries.

“One of the metal gutters has already broken away and the pavements are being damaged by the vehicles because some of them can be very heavy.

“People will always stop here whatever the regulations, but this cannot go on.

“The pavements can’t take the weight of some of these vehicles, and it’s not safe for pedestrians.

“I think the council was foolish to remove the designated bays and should reinstate them as soon as possible.

“There have been loading or parking bays here since the 1950s. The council asked our opinion before removing them and then completely disregarded what we said.”

Graham Jones, spokesman for the Oxford High Street Association, said: “We are concerned about the removal of these bays.

“The council has spent money on new paving and now vehicles are parking on it. The pavements are already starting to show wear and tear in one or two places.”

Ian Hudspeth, the council’s cabinet member for growth and implementation, said: “Transport officers will listen to what traders have to say, but there are other places in the High Street where businesses can load and unload.

“Wardens do take loading into consideration but if vans are parked on the pavement the drivers could get a ticket.”