Charging for park-and-ride in Oxford will be extended to two more car parks by the autumn.

The 50p-per-day charge, reduced to 40p if it is pre-paid, was introduced at Pear Tree park-and-ride and will come into force at Redbridge and Seacourt within two months. Money raised will be spent on security.

Eight park-and-ride users protested to Oxford City Council about the proposed charges at the two car parks, which have a total of 2,000 spaces. Sue Douglas, of Station Road, Brize Norton, said the charges would cost her £100 a year and encourage Seacourt park-and-ride users to leave their cars in the free car parks at Botley Road stores like Wickes.

"The whole philosophy of the park-and-ride system is to encourage people not to drive their cars into the centre of Oxford," she said. "The introduction of the charge will encourage people to find side streets to park in."

Kay Orr, of Midwinter Avenue, Milton Heights, said users should have been asked if they wanted extra security and added that the police should be responsible for safety there. She said: "I am sure that 50p per day will cover more than a couple of wage- packets." The council would use the money to pay security guards and also install pay-and-display machines and signs. Surplus income will be used for further changes, including CCTV cameras and toilets.

Alex Hollingsworth, chairman of the council's highways and traffic committee, which will discuss the charging proposals on Thursday, said extra security at Pear Tree had cut crime by 80 per cent less crime there and meant people felt safe enough to leave their cars there at night.

"It has been a great success at Pear Tree - more than we thought it would," he said.

"The number of public objections, compared to the number of park-and-ride users, is tiny," he said.

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