27 Oxford roads to get double yellow lines painted

Among the roads proposed for the changes by Oxfordshire County Council are Hollow Way, Sandford Road and Oxford Road in Old Marston.

The council said proposed double yellow line extensions in Sandford Road, Littlemore and Oxford Road are intended deter “dangerous” parking at school drop-off and pick up times.

Louise Upton, a parish councillor for Old Marston, said problem parking has long been an issue in the area.

Louise Upton (Image: Contribution)

“I wholeheartedly welcome this intervention,” the Labour city council cycling champion said.

“I often cycle along this road at school drop-off or pick-up time and I am always sad to see so many parents sitting in their cars, sometimes with the engine idling, making it dangerous for other children (and adults) trying to cycle or walk along there.

“It narrows the road and reduces visibility. People open car doors without checking for bikes.

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“In addition, It often causes difficulties for the number 14 bus trying to negotiate a stretch of road that has effectively become single file because of inconsiderate parking.”

In the vicinity of Oxford Road is Meadowbrook College, the Swan School and St Nicholas’ School – with around 1,300 combined pupils attending.

Mary Clarkson, city councillor for Marston, said: “I am very pleased with this proposal. I have received many complaints about this over the years from residents.

“In particular, cars block the narrow pavements, forcing vulnerable pedestrians out into the road. There have been a number of accidents involving cyclists along this stretch.

“Although it may well lead to some displacement of traffic to other roads, nevertheless the parking at this junction is particularly dangerous: the road is quite narrow at this point, as are the pavements. It is a bus route and Mortimer Hall hosts a pre-school.

“This means that there are lots of parents with buggies and toddlers around. In addition, the current parking endangers cyclists, particularly school children cycling home from the Swanand Cherwell Schools.

“Mortimer Hall has already installed bollards to stop unauthorised parking outside and this will be another welcome discouragement.”

Old Marston parish councillor Charlotte Vinnicombe added: “The proposed double yellows extension in Marston is very welcome.

“This is on Oxford Road around Mortimer Hall, a narrow road with chicanes and bus stops, which gets very seriously congested during school drop-off and pick-up times, with cars parking on the narrow pavements, and on both sides of the road, exacerbated by a large amount of cut-through traffic (it’s meant to be an access-only road).

“The school parking creates significant safety issues for children of all ages, walking and cycling to and from St Nicholas and Swan schools and the pre-school in Mortimer Hall, as well as other pedestrians and cyclists.

“The parking sometimes stops buses getting through, which can cause significant tailbacks. It is one of a number of measures that we have been working on for a number of years – that is, Mark Lygo, Mary Clarkson and I as the local Labour team.

“The Parish Council (of which I’m Vice Chair) will be looking very closely at the proposals before responding to the consultation, and we will be in touch with the schools for their views as well, who I know have tried hard over the years to encourage more active travel.”

Independent Littlemore county councillor David Henwood said it’s the people who live close to Sandford Road who will know what’s needed.

David Henwood (Image: Ed Nix)

He said: “I’m told the plan is to extend the double yellows going up to the shop from the main roundabout. This does allow drop offs for up to 10 minutes and would make passing safer for road users.

“More important are the views from local residents along this stretch, who will know what works best for them.”

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Following various complaints from members of the public, city and county councillors, local schools and site observations by officers, new ‘No Waiting’ parking restrictions (in the form of single and double yellow lines) are being proposed in various roads around Oxford.

“The single yellow lines will only apply from 8am to 6.30pm on Mondays and Fridays, while the double yellow lines will apply at all times as usual.

“The proposals will help prevent obstructive parking in general, parked vehicles obscuring visibility and footway parking.”

Roads proposed for double yellow extensions include Barton Fields Road, Barton Village Road, Cranley Road, Cranmer Road, Cuddesdon Way, Dashwood Road, Desborough Crescent, Feinnes Road North, Feinnes Road South, Fettiplace Road, Hollow Way, Hubble Close, Jersey Road, Knights Road, Leckford Road, Malford Road, Oxford Road in Old Marston, Pegasus Road, Sandford Road/Oxford Road in Littlemore, Shaftesbury Road, Spencer Crescent, Waynflete Road and Williamson Way.