Sir – It makes sense for the county council to charge motorists for parking at park-and-ride sites (Report, August 23). But let’s do the job properly. The proposed £3 for more than 11 hours at Thornhill and Water Eaton will still mean many London commuters parking for nothing.
A Labour county council would charge the same £1.50 that the city council already successfully charges at Redbridge, Pear Tree and Seacourt. Everyone would like free park-and-rides, but with the severe cuts imposed by the Coalition Government on local councils, something has to give. The
Tory-run county is turning away £250,000 a year by refusing properly to charge at Thornhill and Water Eaton.
The county council must also introduce early-morning parking controls at nearby Sandhills, so that residents are not swamped with motorists trying to park free.
Most car owners would be happy to pay if the money went to stop higher charges at day centres, improve Dial-a-Ride, or support local libraries and youth clubs in Oxfordshire.
The Tories have accepted the principle of charging. Now they should charge the same as Oxford city and make sure all London commuters pay their fair share.
John Tanner

Board member for a cleaner, greener Oxford,
City councillor for Littlemore & county councillor for Isis
John Sanders
County councillor for Cowley & Littlemore