EFFORTS are being ramped up to combat 'nightmare' parking problems which are damaging businesses and 'making it difficult for residents to leave their homes'.

The new leader of Didcot Town Council Steve Connel has made it his mission for his year in office to tackle the chronic parking issues in the town, something he says is constantly raised on the doorstep.

Commuters parking for free on streets near the train station, those outstaying their allotted time in Broadway and lorry drivers clogging the roads during mandatory rest stops are all being targeted as part of the 'blitz'.

Long-discussed plans to decriminalise parking, making enforcement the responsibility of South Oxfordshire District Council rather than the police, have been revived as part of the efforts.

Such plans were blocked by former district council leader John Cotton, who claimed there was no demand for it, but Mr Connel said the tide had now turned.

He said: "Broadly, the laws we have in place are pretty much what they should be – it is the enforcement that is the issue.

"People are leaving their cars far longer than allowed because they have no fear of the ramifications.

"Fines issued as part of criminal proceedings are so low and they are pretty sure they are not going to get a ticket unless parked in a dangerous manner.

"While it is still a criminal matter it is the police's responsibility – but it is not a priority for them.

"I've done a lot of research and I think decriminalisation is the way to go: from the conversations I've had, no one seems to be opposed to this.

"Everyone realises something needs to be done."

Such enforcement powers have already been taken up by councils across the country, including in Oxford, but the Government would have to be convinced there was a case for it.

Offenders would not face points on their licence but could be given on-the-spot fines for parking in the wrong place or for longer than allowed.

The worsening problems, which already cause frustration in the town, are set to be exacerbated by the town's growing population and, in the shorter term, a two-week closure of Oxford station beginning this Saturday.

Tom Oytaben, the manager of Broadways Pub, said he was convinced his business had lost customers because they could not park nearby.

He added: "A lot of the people who come in, particularly at lunch-time, are a little bit older and less mobile so they are going to choose to go to places where they can park nearby.

"For businesses up and down the street I know it is a similar story and it is really beginning to affect us.

"At one point the signs were stolen from outside the pub and they were never replaced so the limits can't be imposed.

"It doesn't seem top priority and is keeping people away."

Other measures planned by the council include urging police to conduct a week-long blitz every three months at known hotspots and encouraging county councillors to spend ward money on bollards and single yellow lines.

A lorry park is also on the wishlist so that resting drivers have somewhere to go and the council is considering approaching Oxfordshire County Council to build one on the outskirts of the town.

The multi-storey car park at Didcot Parkway station is also nearing completion but it remains to be seen whether it will be used by those currently parking in the streets.

Writing in this week's Herald, MP Ed Vaizey said he was backing moves to free up police time by transferring responsibility for parking to the local council.

He wrote: "Beyond blocking streets and leaving local residents unable to park, parking illegally can mean that bin lorries cannot complete their rounds and emergency service vehicles cannot get to their destination on time.

"I will be pushing the local authority to accept responsibility for parking enforcement in the future, and free up the police to deal with more serious issues."