Parking is driving us mad

5:32pm Sunday 7th September 2008

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Shopkeepers claim their businesses are struggling because parking restrictions are not being enforced in their street.

Traders in Cherwell Drive, Marston, Oxford, said Oxfordshire County Council had not installed signs for a two-hour parking limit, which were due to go up in July.

They said cars were left all day in spaces set aside for customers - with some occupied by second-hand vehicles for sale.

Sean Woodward, owner of Pets and Paws, said since residents only parking was introduced in surrounding roads last year, sales in his shop had fallen by almost a third.

He said people were leaving their cars in 40 spaces earmarked for shoppers next to the parade.

He said: "This is the first year that sales have gone down. I know that it's because of the parking situation because I've been told by my customers.

"We have been promised that something would happen since the beginning of this year, and it just seems that they keep saying something every now and then to keep us quiet.

"The spaces are always full. I can see builders parking here all day but other than that I've no idea who is filling the spaces. It certainly isn't customers."

Sandra Kerwood, who owns Seasons Delicatessen, added: "I'm really disappointed that nothing has been done.

"I only bought the shop last year. As with most businesses you wait until the second year to get a proper idea of how things are going, but this coincided with the parking problems around here. Things have been quite bad.

"I would definitely say this is affecting me. I rely on lunchtime trade. If people can't park up and run in and grab a sandwich or a bite to eat, they go elsewhere. It's as simple as that."

Neighbourhood activist Mick Hainessaid he raised the problem at a north east area committee meeting in July, when the zone was supposed to be introduced.

He said: "I think it's disgusting when the council told me it was going to be done in August and now here we are in September and still waiting.

"People have told me they don't use the shops any more because they can't park outside. I've even heard that people are leaving their cars outside while they go off up to the John Radcliffe Hospital for treatment."

David Tole, of the council's traffic team, said: "It was hoped the scheme would be in place by the end of August.

"But unfortunately this has been delayed due to persistent wet weather, which makes it very difficult to plan lining works to mark out new parking bays. We are confident the work will be completed by the end of September and would like to apologise to the traders for this delay."