Mary Stiff says that the proposed development of the Territorial Army centre at Slade Park, Oxford, for housing should be halted and the area used as a park-and-ride (Oxford Mail, October 27).

If she lived in this area, she would be aware that a new free park-and-ride has already been created and has been running for almost a year.

It is called Wood Farm.

The creation of the ill-thought-out Headington residents' parking scheme has displaced commuters' vehicles on to this estate and the Dene Road area.

It is almost impossible to park outside the Wood Farm shops to pick up shopping.

Cars are parked all day, five days a week on the bus route around this estate.

So another park-and-ride would not be viable as Wood Farm now offers, with the blessing of our councils, convenient free parking and a good regular bus service thrown in for all commuters.

New bus shelters, to help keep the commuters dry, have also just been provided.

The only downside for this free park-and-ride is that it is now almost impossible to leave this estate owing to the all-day congestion in The Slade, the sound of tyres squealing, car horns blaring and engines screaming as motorists, fed up with waiting, pull out to take a gamble.

It is something I have to listen to all day and night.

Mrs Stiff needs to understand times have changed.

Both parents have to work to pay the mortgage these days, more often with the child being dropped off at school on the way to work.

The stupid notion that it is safe for a child to walk to school alone now is long gone.

When Mrs Stiff walked three miles to school, she would probably have been able to count the cars she saw.

Convicted paedophiles are now allowed back into the community after serving half their sentence. This is something we have to accept today.

If my children were still of school age, I would take them to school by whichever means was convenient - better to be safe than sorry and put up with an extra car, don't you think? I certainly do. A lifetime is a long time to live in regret.

Richard Anderson, Wood Farm Road, Headington, Oxford