FREE on-street parking in Oxford is likely to stay after "doom and gloom" opponents were told they had been wrong about the scheme.

Oxfordshire County Council is about to embark on a comprehensive review of the pilot project, but The Oxford Times can disclose the authority is almost certain to make it a permanent fixture.

That is likely to increase the tension between the county and the city council, which largely opposes the idea.

Motorists have been able to park free in hundreds of on-street spaces after 6.30pm on weekdays and all day Sunday since December last year. The move, which is estimated to cost the county council as much as £500,000 a year, was an election promise from the Conservatives, who run the county council.

But it has angered city councillors because it comes at a time when County Hall is considering charging 9,000 residents in 16 city zones an annual levy of £40 a permit to park outside their own homes.

By doing this, the county council would be guaranteed an income of £360,000.

County councillor David Robertson, cabinet member for transport, said: "I haven't heard of any major issues, but that is only anecdotal evidence.

"They (opponents of free on-street parking) were screaming about whether it would bring the city to a standstill, but I have only had complimentary remarks about it making Oxford a welcoming city.

"Once we have the information we can make an informed decision, rather than basing it on anecdotal evidence. But we introduced a pilot to see whether it was a success or whether the doom and gloom merchants were proved right. I drive into Oxford in the evenings and I haven't seen major disruption."