THE £312,000 cost of consulting residents and designing a controversial parking scheme for East Oxford has been labelled “a waste of money.”

Residents said the bill for the consultation had turned out higher than the estimated cost of introducing controlled parking zones (CPZ) in Divinity Road and Magdalen Road.

The Divinity Road scheme was approved nearly two years ago, but it has emerged the transport traffic regulation order to allow it to go ahead has expired. Oxfordshire County Council said there was no money for the scheme and further consultation.

Divinity Road Area Residents’ Association said introducing the scheme would have cost little more than £100,000.

The county council’s deputy director for environment and economy, Steve Howell, said: “Due to the worsening national financial situation, it has not been possible to carry out further consultation.

“However, even if it had been possible, there would not have been enough money to implement the two zones.

“The two schemes will remain on hold until funding becomes available.”

Mr Howell defended the consultation: “One of the most common criticisms levelled at councils is they either fail to consult, or fail to take people’s views into account having asked for them.”

Sietske Boeles, from the residents’ group, said she had learned the council spent £101,404 on the consultation and design of the Divinity Road CPZ project and £210,156 on Magdalen Road.