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Man arrested in parking protest
8:15am Thursday 6th September 2007
By The Page Turner »
PARKING protester Mike Hamblett took a stand against a scheme to charge for roadside permits - and ended up getting arrested for his trouble.
Mr Hamblett's demonstration is thought to be the first example of parking permit rage in the city.
Yesterday, the 56-year-old tried to prevent County Hall contractors from painting line markings in Harpes Road, Summertown, Oxford, and was arrested.
He was later released on bail.
Eyewitnesses said Mr Hamblett was handcuffed and put in the back of a van by three officers.
He was protesting against a new scheme to charge residents £40 for an annual permit to park outside their homes.
The scheme has caused anger because on-street parking charges in the city have been waived, prompting those from outside the city to drive in.
Moments before he was arrested the bachelor, who drives a Metro, said: "I am so angry about this - no one in the street wants this scheme and we have been telling the council that for the past year but they will not listen.
"I stood in front of the line painters and asked them politely not to paint the lines. One of them threatened me with violence, but I told him not to be silly and that he would lose his job.
"I am prepared to be arrested because this scheme will cause a great deal of inconvenience for people in this street."
Roy Howarth, 64, a retired headteacher who has lived in Harpes Road for the past 11 years, said: "It's amazing Mike was handcuffed simply because the local authority has not listened properly to residents.
"I hope he is not charged with any offence."
Elizabeth Rivington, who also lives in Harpes Road, added: "Nobody wanted this and the council did not give us much warning of when they were going to start painting the lines.
"I am lucky because I have my own driveway, so I won't have to pay the £40."
Highways contractors are currently marking out the North Summertown controlled parking zone, which includes Harpes Road, Islip Road and Water Eaton Road.
The scheme is not expected to go live before the end of the year.
County councillor Ian Hudspeth, cabinet member for transport implementation, said: "We carried out extensive consultation with residents over this scheme.
"This man was obviously particularly aggrieved, but he disrupted people trying to do their jobs."
Kate Smith, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, said: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and obstructing a council official in their duty."
A member of staff working for Isis Accord, who asked not to be named, added: "He (Mr Hamblett) threatened me, so I phoned the police.
"We will carry on with the work and get it done."
Mr Hamblett stood as Green candidate in Wolvercote in the 2002 city council elections and last year was involved in protests against the closure of Castle Mill boatyard in Jericho.
Your Say YourOxford
Ed, Oxford says...
10:21am Thu 6 Sep 07
It all gets wasted by central Government and Oxford County Council, who claim they're providing top-notch public services but then collect our bins once a fortnight, fail to repair crumbling roads, and don't deal with the many other issues we'd all like to see dealt with - oh and then award themselves a 5 star rating claming they're "excellent". No-one believes you, OCC!
Amanda, Oxford says...
10:30am Thu 6 Sep 07
In addition, having cars parked along roads is dangerous in several respects, and causes congestion in villages and on narrow roads. I hope this charge will cause some people to think twice about parking on the roadside.
B, Headington says...
10:55am Thu 6 Sep 07
Natasha, Oxford says...
11:16am Thu 6 Sep 07
"in addition, having cars parked along roads is dangerous in several respects, and causes congestion in villages and on narrow roads. I hope this charge will cause some people to think twice about parking on the roadside."
Actually, in my village we were advised not to create a layby for cars as on-road parking also acts as a traffic calming measure as cars have to slow down/stop to go round them.
Paul, Oxford says...
4:46pm Thu 6 Sep 07
Amanda wrote:Yes Amanda, but what you fail to see is that we are already paying for it as I stated previously. Also your comment about thinking twice about parking on the roadide is really quite naive there are thousands of properties in Oxford without off the street parking. What do you suggest? Ploughing up front gardens to make parking spaces?
If you want to store your stuff on someone else's property, why shouldn't you have to pay for it? 40 pounds per year is ridiculously cheap. In addition, having cars parked along roads is dangerous in several respects, and causes congestion in villages and on narrow roads. I hope this charge will cause some people to think twice about parking on the roadside.
Hunt, oxford says...
5:37pm Thu 6 Sep 07
i ve live here 20 years never happened before , until now, when i had park 200 yards away from my house.....thanks county councilors and a very nice idea make after 6 30 free parking in the city, so you can come out of your country mansions and park for FREE !!!!!
once again we are made to look like idiots
Gizmo, Oxford says...
10:02pm Thu 6 Sep 07
Frank, Oxford says...
10:22pm Thu 6 Sep 07
I still think the parking charges are adequate though - Oxford must have been the only larger city left in the country without them! Maybe they should reduce Council Tax by £30 and then charge £40 for parking per council tax payer.
Hobbit, Summertown says...
2:17pm Fri 7 Sep 07
Do you like being bullied, Amanda? If not, then leave poor Mike Hamblett alone with your patronising comments.
Michael, Banbury says...
1:42pm Thu 4 Oct 07
Amanda wrote:Amanda do you have a car first?
If you want to store your stuff on someone else's property, why shouldn't you have to pay for it? 40 pounds per year is ridiculously cheap. In addition, having cars parked along roads is dangerous in several respects, and causes congestion in villages and on narrow roads. I hope this charge will cause some people to think twice about parking on the roadside.
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Paul, Oxford says...
9:18am Thu 6 Sep 07