A CAR-sharing scheme in Oxford has proved such a success it is getting a second vehicle.

Forty people have joining the Headington scheme since it began in June last year.

The project, run by Commonwheels, follows successful car-sharing schemes covering East Oxford and the north and west of the city. Dozens of people have given up their cars as a result of the schemes.

Between July and December, the Headington club’s car was booked 112 times, driven for 354 hours and clocked up 2,891 miles.

Part-time student and mum-of-two Julie Meikle joined the car club in November. She was hoping to sell her family’s second car to save money and reduce car usage.

Mrs Meikle, 37, has now been able to get rid of her old Skoda.

She said: “It is saving us money and also I feel a lot better about not having two cars.

“I definitely use the car less because when it is just outside the door, you hop into it for any reason.

“Now I plan my journeys better, I cycle more and I feel really good about it. Sometimes I used to get in the car to go to the gym which seems a bit crazy, so now I cycle.”

She estimated she was saving about £600 a year in car tax, MOT and insurance.

Since September, the car has been allocated a permanent spot in St Leonard’s car park, at the junction of St Leonard’s Road and Windmill Road.

The second car, set to arrive next month, is being leased to the club by one of the members, with all expenses and servicing paid through Commonwheels.

Mrs Meikle said: “I think it has been a little slower to take off than in East Oxford, because they have very high density housing and parking issues, but there is a definite need for it in Headington.

“It’s just a case of letting people know about the scheme and them realising the benefits.”

Hiring the car costs £4 an hour for the existing vehicle, while the leased car will cost slightly less.

To find out more about the car club, visit commonwheels.org.uk