The decision to place a decked car park at Redbridge park-and-ride car park could be a sign of things to come.

However, it is a strange way of dealing with the issue of a lack of city-centre car parking during the construction stage of the new Westgate centre. The plans require that the level of city-centre car parking remains as it is now. Yet, during construction there will be fewer city-centre spaces. This will not be welcomed by retailers.

The Westgate redevelopment will bring more shoppers into the centre of Oxford and there has to be a way of accommodating the traffic. Visitors to Reading's Oracle will know that a busy Saturday can be a nightmare.

We should not be surprised if the proposed temporary deck at Redbridge park-and-ride does become a permanent feature.

The extra traffic coming to a revitalised Westgate will not have anywhere extra to park. The park-and-ride car deck may be here to stay - and not solely at Redbridge.