Sir – I can quite appreciate the problems of parking especially for people who have set up business in the areas around Magdalen Road streets, and Iffley Fields.

We must remember though the comment that this is a medieval city and Oxford was never designed to cope with the vehicles about nowadays. A lot of properties were built in Victorian days. I am now in my 70s, and lived in the area of Iffley Fields when I was a child, and during the war.

I can remember when there was only one car parked in Bedford Street where I lived, and it was a very small car, and was a luxury to go out with my friend and her Dad who owned the car. All the children in the area were able to play in the streets then.

My great-grandfather who died early 1940s, ran his horse and cabbie business from Crown Street, and I have heard that he was so distressed when the first cars came about, and said they would be a ruin to the world. He had to pack up his business in the late 20s I think. He was the last horse and cabbie to run in Oxford, and I have a photograph of it outside The Queen’s College. I feel sorry for businesses being affected by not having car parking space, but the roads and houses were just not built for so many cars in those days.

What will it be like in another 50 years time we wonder. I had a business and know what it is like. Years ago we were not able to run businesses from home or houses like that. Then in the 70s and 80s a lot of houses were and still are, let to students.

Times change. This is just some history from someone who lived in the area years ago. I wish you luck these days, but it is not easy.

Barbara Cleary, Witney