Oxford is already in a state of recession, especially now Allders has closed. Any increase in parking charges (Oxford Mail, May 17) will drive more shoppers to Reading, Banbury, Stratford and Cheltenham.

We shopped in Bath recently and it cost just £3.80 for six hours. Stratford is a lovely town and Reading has all the big name shops.

The Labour council will kill this town soon. On Sundays, there should be free parking everywhere to encourage shoppers and tourists.

It is so expensive that stopping to have a coffee is a major disaster, as you sit there trying to relax but thinking about your car park charge rolling up.

Sort out this mess before Oxford becomes a shop graveyard. Bob Timbs, Normandy Crescent, Cowley, Oxford