Sir – Every parking space in the centre of Oxford sucks in another vehicle and adds to congestion in our city. Most people already have the good sense to get in and out of Oxford by bus and the county council should be giving buses much more priority. There is nothing more infuriating that sitting on a bus behind a long line of cars in the rush hour.

Oxford City Council, of course, recognises that people sometimes need to use a car to work or to shop. That is why we provide Gloucester Green, Worcester Street and now the new Oxpens car parks.

But it would be irresponsible to reduce car park charges in the city centre. The result would be permanent traffic gridlock across the city. It costs only £2 to park all day at the popular park-and-rides. Every penny car drivers pay at the car parks is used either to operate the car parks or to provide decent public services in Oxford.

We think £4 for two hours (£5.20 on Saturdays) during the day is a reasonable price to pay for secure parking in the heart of the dreaming spires. It’s much cheaper in the evenings. But we recognise there has to be a balance. So Labour will not be increasing city centre car parking charges this year.

Private parking arrangements don’t help Oxford’s traffic problems. The only answer is to use the bus, the train, to cycle or to walk.

John Tanner, Labour board Member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford, City councillor for Littlemore & county councillor for Isis

Oxford