A NEIGHBOURHOOD dispute between Wolvercote residents and the owner of a military crane has reignited.

Police revealed they have issued a ticket to the vehicle’s owner after he refused to move it from obstructing a junction.

In February, we reported that Nicholas Kravchenko drove the former Army engineering vehicle into St Peter’s Road, Wolvercote.

Since then he has refused to move it, claiming there was nothing to stop him leaving it there.

But neighbours have said it was the ‘last straw’ in a long-running battle over an endless run of vehicles parked outside their homes.

They said Mr Kravchenko moved the crane last weekend to go to an event in Oxford.

According to Paul Harvey, of St Peters Road, when Mr Kravchenko returned to find other people had moved their cars into the space it occupied, he drove it to the junction of St Peter’s Road, and Ulfgar Road.

He said: “It was just a ridiculous place to leave it.

“It posed a very real risk to anyone driving along either road and trying to see oncoming traffic.”

Sgt Lis Knight, neighbourhood sergeant for the Wolvercote area, confirmed police had been called. She said: “Members of the neighbourhood policing team for Wolvercote attended the area on Wednesday after reports of vehicles causing an obstruction.

“One person was asked to move their vehicle, which they did.

“Another person was asked to move an armoured vehicle which was also parked there, but refused.

“As a result a £30 Fixed Penalty Notice for obstruction was issued.”

She added: “The neighbourhood team are very aware of the issues between residents in the Wolvercote area and will continue to work closely with them to resolve these and ensure Wolvercote remains a safe place to live.”

Since the ticket was issued, Mr Kravchenko has moved the vehicle back to the layby.

But residents said its mere presence was antisocial and intimidating. Mr Harvey said: “I am glad he has moved it from where it was. If it stayed where it was it would have caused a very serious accident.

“But we are still faced with the same problem as before.”

Mr Kravchenko said he had done nothing wrong.

He said: “There’s no double yellow lines, no residents’ parking – I can park where I like.”

He said he had complained to the police about the fixed penalty notice, adding: “I don’t think I will pay the £30.”

Mr Kravchenko added: “How’s it anyone’s business what vehicle I drive? The neighbours are stirring it.”

He said his military crane was not armoured and claimed it had recently been splattered with red paint, had its tax disc stolen, its number plate stolen and its mirrors snapped off.