RESIDENTS in East Oxford have gone against the grain and lent their support to a controversial controlled parking zone – claiming it would make their community safer.

Last week, the Oxford Mail reported that businesses in Magdalen Road and nearby streets feared the Oxfordshire County Council scheme could force them to close and mean the “break up” of the community.

But people living in St Mary’s Road, which comes under the Magdalen Road area, said the CPZ could not come soon enough.

Last week, County Hall approved the scheme, which will see residents and business given parking permits and the creation of shared bays.

Eka Morgan, who has lived in St Mary’s Road for eight years, said: “We are delighted the area has been approved, but we urge the council to get the zone implemented as soon as possible. There is a real danger somebody will soon be hurt because cars park so badly around here that people are forced to walk in the road.

“The situation is even more awkward for people with pushchairs.

“People park on the street corners and I have seen so many collisions and stand-offs between drivers.

“Something needs to be done as soon as possible.”

Neighbour Roman Krznaric, 38, said he was forced to push his 11-month-old twins in the road because his buggy would not fit past parked cars.

He said: “There is a serious accident waiting to happen here.

“Only last week an ambulance could not fit along Aston Street – and it’s exactly the same in St Mary’s Road.

“The council needs to get the CPZ installed without delay.

“We have campaigned for this for two years now and we are keen to see the results.

“The current situation is dangerous for everybody and that has to change.”

A CPZ permit costs £40 a year, with each homeowner getting up to 50 free visitor permits.

Sister Frances Dominica, who founded the Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice in Magdalen Road, said: “I have lived in Oxford since 1974 and I have never known it as bad as these past 12 months.

“It’s just chaotic, it really is crazy.

“I can very rarely park a car outside our house.

“People are losing their wing mirrors, they’re getting their cars scraped – it’s a very difficult situation.

“Young people who come to Helen House and to Douglas House are mostly in wheelchairs and if they want to go out it’s actually virtually impossible for them to go very far without having to get off the pavement – and that creates quite a dangerous situation.”

County council spokesman Paul Smith said: “The council has approved the principle of a CPZ in the Magdalen Road area and is now obliged to go through the legal process of setting such a zone up.”

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk