Traders have welcomed news that much-needed new parking facilities could be provided in a busy street, writes Philip Seton-Anderson.

A piece of waste ground off Kidlington High Street has been offered for sale to Cherwell District Council for use as a car park.

The L-shaped area is currently overgrown, but its location - adjoining an existing car park behind the Kidlington Centre arcade in High Street - could make it the ideal place for a car park. Retailers in the village say business has been suffering because office workers have been taking up spaces needed by shoppers.

Daniel O'Gorman, owner of O'Gorman's electrical shop, said: "We've had customers calling us saying that they want to come to our shop but can't find a parking space. "The problem is office workers who take up the spaces with a two-hour waiting limit which are supposed to be for shoppers."

Kim Martin, manager of the Kidlington Centre, said: "If they do find more spaces, that's great news as far as the traders are concerned."

The piece of land is large enough for between 20 and 40 new spaces and is currently owned by Michael Wells, who lives in France.

In 1995, planning officers said the land was suitable for a car park when Mr Wells tried to sell it to the council, but councillors vetoed the scheme.

David Marriott, property services and valuation manager at the council, said planning officers were considering the idea afresh.

He said: "We understand that there is a shortage of parking in High Street because there has been a lot of new office development there over the past few years. We want to provide new parking in Kidlington and we are looking at this as one way of doing that."