VILLAGERS who spent a year fighting a company which they claim made village roads “dangerous” have given up, saying “the big boys won”.

Radley residents formed the campaign group SCRAP after First Great Western started charging people to use Radley railway station car park.

The firm spent £165,000 of Department for Transport cash extending the car park by 30 spaces, but also started charging £3 a day.

Villagers said the charge pushed about 20 commuters onto village roads, making them congested and dangerous to drive or walk down.

Oxfordshire County Council offered to make the company pay for double yellow lines, but villagers said they did not want parking restrictions on residential roads.

The group asked for support from Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood, the county council and Radley Parish Council.

But in a statement, leader Graham Steinsberg said: “Despite all our efforts FGW do not, and arguably never have had, any intention to change.

“The MP has written a nice supportive letter to the above with no effect and police can only enforce illegal acts.

“Regrettably, I therefore propose to formally close down the SCRAP initiative.

“It is massively frustrating, but there’s nothing else to be done.”

He thanked supporters for their efforts and added: “The big boys won of course.”

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