I almost agree with the Tory County Council (Oxford Mail, June 3).

Of course, we want to discourage people from driving in and out of Oxford during the rush hours. The polluting, time-wasting rush hour jams make no sense. So the £4 an hour morning rush-hour charge for parking meters is worth a try.

It is hugely frustrating and inefficient for bus passengers to sit stuck behind a line of slow-moving commuter cars every morning and evening. But the real problem is the huge number of private spaces, many in the Oxford colleges.

They suck cars in every morning and spew them out each evening. Can we expect the Tories to close the councillors' free car park at County Hall as an example to us all?

Let's hope the new charges do bring in extra money for the county council.

There will then be even less excuse for the Tories to charge Oxford residents for parking outside our own front doors.

JOHN TANNER (Councillor) Labour environment spokesman, Oxford City Council