Your story (‘Anger over dangerous car parking’, May 23), highlights the problem of commuter parking in Radley, a problem not restricted to Radley but experienced by people at many other places in the Oxford area.

It seems that places where people traditionally park, whether public or private, are seen by the owners as sources of money.

These days, people visiting local open spaces or parks are likely to be confronted by a parking meter and this at a time when we are advised to get out more.

And having to pay an entrance fee doesn’t look like a good idea.

In the case of train and bus car parks, it does seem reasonable to charge for using a facility that has been provided, at a cost, by the transport company but, one can imagine, the commuter totting up the weekly parking bill and thinking – ‘This will make a nasty hole in my weekly wage’ and starting to look for an alternative place to park.

In the end, villages and country roads become clogged with vehicles which, besides looking a mess, cause inconvenience. Complaints to the council result in nothing being done or a suggestion that residents’ parking be introduced – something you have to pay to use, leading to more inconvenience and a rash of ugly yellow lines and noticeboards.

Frankly I can see no answer to this problem until central government improves funding but, as things stand, I can’t see that happening.

DERRICK HOLT, Fortnam Close, Headington, Oxford

 

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