People are being asked their views on plans for new parking restrictions in an Oxfordshire town.

Oxfordshire County Council is proposing a residents parking permit scheme alongside limited waiting time for non-permit holders in Corn Street and Church Green in Witney.

Residents' permits would cost £65 a year and would be limited to two permits per household.

The charge for a business permit would be £190 a year.

Labour West Oxfordshire district councillor for Witney Central ward Andrew Coles said: "This has all come about due to numerous requests and complaints from residents regarding parking difficulties experienced in Church Green and Corn Street over a number of years.

READ MORE: Family of baby who stopped breathing waited 30 minutes for ambulance

"I have, therefore, been actively lobbying Oxfordshire County Council to address the issue."

Witney Central councillor Andrew Coles said he had received 'numerous complaints' from residents about parking difficulties (Image: West Oxfordshire District Council) He added: "This isn’t a new problem. I recall, a few years ago, possibly 2018, the previous Conservative administration at West Oxfordshire District Council undertook a consultation for a residential parking scheme there.

"Despite the consultation showing support for a scheme, it wasn’t followed up with any action and the issue remained unresolved. 

"This is very welcome and effectively means that, if approved, residents won’t have to shuffle their cars round every few hours."

Mr Coles said he was also pleased that "there are no plans to introduce on-street parking charges as part of this scheme, as the Lib Dems have done in Woodstock" and added that this "is completely unrelated to the High Street and Market Square enhancements".

Corn Street is a narrow one-way road with narrow pavements.

As long ago as 1990 estate agent Martyn Cox complained to the county council, saying he was having to send his own staff out "to act as impromptu traffic wardens".

He said he was “a constant eyewitness to chaos”.

Current senior partner at Martyn Cox and Co Aaron Smith said: "We see traffic issues all the time. It can get 'chaotic' and people get fractious.

"I've never seen traffic wardens in the problem areas," he said.

Some locals said parents park on double yellow lines at drop off and pick up times at the Batt School off Corn Street.

READ MORE: Has Jeremy Clarkson been arrested?

The school said it does all it can to urge parents and carers to park considerately.

"The Batt is a popular school located in Witney town centre and so the area does naturally get busy for a limited time each day," said a spokesperson for Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust.

"Parents, carers and visitors are very much encouraged to park considerately, including using the free car parks around the town.

"It also already operates a ‘walking bus’ for children between St Mary’s and The Batt school sites, to help parents and carers and to avoid further congestion."

Mr Coles said he is expecting a decision to be made early in the new year.

The consultation is open until the end of  Sunday December 15 2024 on the county council's engagement platform Let's Talk Oxfordshire.