Residents in Headington, Oxford, are demanding urgent action to get rid of "chaotic" parking outside their homes.

They claim hundreds of students studying at Oxford Brookes University's new health school, off Marston Road, are using side streets and residential roads for free parking because there is no room at the site.

They have enlisted the help of Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who met campaigners in Headington on Saturday (November 20) to back a campaign to get a controlled parking zone introduced.

This would restrict on-street parking between certain times -- allowing only residents to park there.

The campaigners took to the streets to gather support for their plans and later this month will send a petition to Oxfordshire County Council. They want temporary emergency parking restrictions installed before a more wide-ranging controlled zone is considered.

Residents claim hundreds of vehicles each day line streets including Harberton Mead, Fielden Grove, Jack Straw's Lane and Marston Road -- with some cars blocking driveways, preventing mothers taking their children to school.

Tailbacks, congestion along the narrow roads, and heated exchanges, including insults and gestures traded between students and householders, have become daily sight.

Pam Cooper, of Fielden Grove, who is coordinating residents' groups, said: "More than 100 cars are badly parked here every day. There is not room for two cars along these roads and if we needed an emergency vehicle along here it wouldn't be able to get through -- this is a very dangerous situation.

"We are being completely taken over by people from Brookes."

Oxford Brookes University maintains it has made a "significant investment" in the new U5 bus service, which runs between the main campus and the city centre, while vice-chancellor Rex Knight said the university supported the introduction of a residents' parking scheme.

Mr Smith has put his weight behind their campaign for emergency traffic restrictions and, ultimately, controlled parking.

Their petition is likely to be presented after a meeting between Brookes officials and residents.

Mr Smith said: "We are asking the county council and Brookes what further steps can be taken because they have a responsibility to the local community to deal with the consequences. People are getting very angry."