SCORES of north Oxford residents packed a special public meeting to call for an “overall strategy” to solve parking problems around Cutteslowe Park.

The county council has proposed new restrictions to counter congestion problems which have plagued residents since the city council began charging for parking in the park itself last year.

More than 60 locals attended a meeting at Cutteslowe Pavillion on Monday and discussed the proposed restriction which included a two-hour waiting limit on Five Mile Drive and Lovelace Road south side and “no waiting” limitations on several other roads.

County and city councillor for Summertown and Wolvercote John Goddard, who chaired the meeting, began by saying: “I would be astonished if there was anyone here who did not think that charging for parking was a stupid idea and we will continue to ask the council to remove the parking charges.”

Residents then shared their worries that the proposed restrictions would mean that visitors, workmen and carers for elderly residents would be unable to park near their houses.

Currently, the roads around Cutteslowe Park are used by people visiting the park as free parking, and Harbord Road is used by park vehicles for access.

Barbara Hosier, a retired teacher who lives in Harbord Road, said that after her husband had a heart attack, friends and relatives who came to visit him could not find parking in the street, and were forced to pay for parking in Cutteslowe Park.

She said: “This is an elderly community, and we need access for carers. “This road was never meant as a main entrance to Cutteslowe Park, it was a trade entrance. They could lower the speed limit on the A40 and then that entrance could be the main entrance.”

Many residents said they did not object to families parking to use the park, but the sheer number of vehicles made the area hazardous.

Joe Boyle, 73, of Harbord Road, said: “My main concern is that the entrance is a danger for kids.

“People visiting the park want to avoid paying, and that is understandable, so they park in the road.”

The county council’s traffic engineer David Tole asked residents to submit their concerns and ideas to him by Saturday.

Planning officers will then develop a new parking plan to satisfy the most residents.