An "amazingly sensible" parking policy has been approved, giving those living on boats access to the same privileges as people in houses.
The existing CPZ (Controlled Parking Zone) in Upper Wolvercote near Oxford was discussed at a county council meeting on Thursday.
Cabinet member for infrastructure and development Judy Roberts approved the plans which will allow all boats at the ‘Agenda 21’ residential moorings to be eligible to apply for resident's parking permits and residents' visitors' parking permits.
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A CPZ is an area where parking is only allowed for certain times of the road unless the driver has a permit.
The CPZ in Upper Wolvercote was introduced in 2023 and means residents are permitted to apply for a maximum of one permit per resident, with 50 visitor permits also permitted a year.
Speaking at the meeting, Liberal Democrat Ms Roberts said: "I am local and it seems amazingly sensible for this to actually happen and I am surprised slightly that it hasn’t happened before."
Responses to a formal consultation carried out in April and May resulted in 29 answers to the proposal with 17 in support, two objecting, two raising concerns and eight with no objection or opinion.
One unnamed person living in Walton Street, supporting the proposals, said: "Let me start by saying that I think it's very good that boats moorings on Upper Wolvercote get parking permits and visitor parking permits.
"The boat moorings across Oxford gives a lot of charm to the town and to enable people living on them ensures that the boats are kept floating.
"If smaller apartments, basement flats etc. cannot be rented by trades persons we risk becoming a university ghetto. Only students, junior researchers etc. will be able to live here.
"We need those with occupations demanding a car to also be able to live here."
A householder from Wilsdon Way in Kidlington added: "The residents on boats always parked in this area historically. They need somewhere to park vehicles, if they have one."
A Bailey Road householder, one of the few objectors, said: "My objections are that these are multi-occupancy residents which are going to clog up our local roads.
"We have rented houses here and each house seems to have not just cars but works vans parked across paths, with no permits."
But director of Environment and Highways Paul Fermer said: "Officers feel that the possible level of demand for permits is unlikely to generate a significant increase of on-street vehicular parking, and as such wouldn’t have an impact on parking congestion in the immediate locality either."
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About the author
Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county.
She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.
Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi
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