Oxford's Rose Hill is being used as a coach park by drivers avoiding increased city centre parking fees, residents claim.

Those living on the estate say the arrival of the vehicles are making the residential streets dangerous.

Rose Hill city councillor Ed Turner said: “Unfortunately on Rose Hill estate and in the Iffley Turn area there is an ever-growing number using what should be a housing estate as a coach park.

“We are seeing coaches from a number of places, from Oxford to Holland and Germany, parking all day and overnight.

“It is becoming hazardous for motorists and pedestrians.

Oxford City Council increased the 24-hour fees for coach parking at Oxpens car park from £10 to £20 earlier this year.

But Mr Turner said: “Most of the coaches we are talking about are supposed to have registered depots which they should be parking in. It would only be relevant to the foreign coaches and our rates in Oxford are extremely reasonable compared to other areas. If they are running a business then, frankly, they should pay.”

Ray James, of Rose Hill Residents’ Association, said: “It’s a very popular place for students to reside while they’re visiting.

“It’s not uncommon for us to have a couple of coaches here and people complain they are using it as a parking site.”

He said drivers were using the area to avoid paying parking charges at the city centre coach park.

“There is a sense that it’s an accident waiting to happen.

“Certainly there are usually two or three in the vicinity of The Oval and the other day there were five.

“Rose Hill is a residential area, not a coach park.”

Oxfordshire County Council, the authority responsible for on-street parking, is investigating ways to tackle the issue.

County councillor John Sanders said: “They can’t just be banned. They are not like lorries.”

He said one option could be restricting numbers allowed to park.

“I’m discussing this with officers to find out if it’s realistic – the costs and timescale aren’t clear.

Tappins are one of the companies spotted parking on the estate.

David Walker, Tappins general manager, said: “My understanding is that the driver, who lives on the estate, has been in conversation with the residents’ association and they were going to arrive at an amicable conclusion.

“The guy lives there – he’s not trying to dodge any fees.

“Our policy is that our drivers park the coaches in laybys and car parks or areas which cause no inconvenience to others.”