Oxfordshire County Council has put forward plans to remove 41 on-street parking spaces in Hollow Way as part of its drive to decrease congestion in the city.
The businesses have set up a campaign called ‘Save Our Customer Parking’ and have put posters in shop windows encouraging people to take part in the public consultation.
Wayne Watt, the owner of Jamaican Spice Takeaway, said: “My business has been on Hollow Way for 15 years.
“There’s a cost-of-living crisis going on and the council wants to take away parking for my customers – it doesn’t make any sense.
“Councillors need to get to Hollow Way and talk to us to see what they’re putting at risk with these mad schemes.”
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Traders believe vehicle access to Hollow Way has been affected by the addition of an LTN in Crescent Road. The county council said the scheme will help reduce congestion and pollution in residential areas, as well as prevent rat-running.
Niaz Ali, co-owner of Holloway Autoparts, said: “The extra traffic on Hollow Way is a problem of the council’s own creation. They put in the LTNs and fly-tipped all extra traffic onto us.
“We have customers coming from Abingdon, Thame and Bicester to our shop who need to park.
“A lot of the things we sell are heavy and bulky. Our customers need to come by car.
“Our shop has been here 39 years – the council should be proud of us, not trying to shut us down.”
(Image: Oxford Business Action Group)
Independent Councillor Saj Malik organised a meeting with the business owners and locals on Monday, October 21.
He said the “overwhelming majority” wanted to keep the car parking spaces.
He added: “It’s our duty to protect the precious small independent family businesses and listen to the constituents who elected us.
“Part of the problem is that the county council has failed to enforce the restrictions which are in place during the rush hours when the congestion occurs. The rest of the time parking should be allowed.”
He went on to suggest the council could help buses needs by removing the traffic lights where Hollow Way meets Oxford Road and creating a yellow box with a mini roundabout, while keeping the traffic lights near the Original Swan pub.
Bernadette Evans, spokesperson for the Oxford Business Action Group said removing customer parking on Hollow Way would be “devasting for trade”.
She added: “Many of these businesses have been on Hollow Way for decades and are much loved not only in their own community, but all-round Oxford and beyond.
“It’s vital the council does all it can to support them – especially during a cost-of-living crisis.
“I’ve got to say it’s beyond belief that they would consider pulling the rug from under these amazing businesses just when they most need help.”
When approached for comment, a spokesman for Oxfordshire City Council said it had “received a number of concerns about parked vehicles on Hollow Way impacting on congestion and the safe passage of traffic”.
He added: “We are asking people informally to share their thoughts on initial proposals to address this issue.
“Officers from the council are in discussion with local businesses on Hollow Way to understand their parking needs.
“Their input, together with feedback from local residents will help to shape any future proposals for parking changes, which would be consulted on in due course if progressed.”
The county council is also proposing to ban vehicles from waiting on Hollow Way, and restrict loading to 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm seven days a week.
The consultation is open to contributions until 11.59pm on Tuesday, November 5.