Congestion charges for the privilege of driving into Oxford are "almost inevitable".

traffic clogged up in Walton Street, OxfordThat is the view of Keith Slater, president of the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, who says it is only a matter of time before a London-style levy on motorists becomes reality.

But county councillor David Robertson, the man in charge of Oxfordshire's transport policy, says such a scheme will not happen while he remains at County Hall.

London and Durham have trumpeted the success of their charging schemes, which have raised thousands of pounds and slashed city centre traffic.

Today, Oxford's car parks and streets will become choked with thousands of Christmas shoppers.

Mr Slater said: "Personally I think there is some merit in variable charging for people coming in to Oxford, although the chamber as a whole is totally opposed to congestion charging.

"It's almost inevitable that something like this will happen because the level of traffic coming into Oxford is pretty horrific.

"It's difficult to know whether congestion charging is the only option available.

"Park and ride is still one of the best solutions for getting people into Oxford and the more that is done the less need for congestion charging.

"The people who need to go in and out of Oxford would get used to it, just like they have parking charges.

"Everybody complained when Oxford had high car parking charges in the city -- now people accept they pay for the privilege."

Clogged-up cities like Southampton, Bristol and Edinburgh are all considering charges.

But Mr Robertson, Oxfordshire County Council's executive member for transport, believes the Oxford Transport Strategy -- introduced in 1999 -- is already tackling the problem.

All vehicles, apart from buses and taxis, have been banned since 1999 from Oxford's High Street and St Aldate's during the day, but there is no camera enforcement, meaning hundreds of drivers ignore the ban. Traffic surveys reveal there has been a 27 per cent decrease in the number of vehicles entering Oxford at Magdalen Bridge, and a 14 per cent decrease at Folly Bridge, between 1991 and 2002.

Mr Robertson said: "I am very much in favour of improving public transport accessibility, and against forcing people out of their cars.

"It would disenfranchise people who could not afford it and socially exclude those living in rural communities. "I believe very strongly in better quality, more frequent and reliable public transport, and have no plans to look at, or implement, congestion charging."

Earlier this year a county council transport review group said a congestion charge similar to the one in London would not work because Oxford already restricts vehicles.

However, they said charging motorists for the privilege of parking at work was worth considering.

Pro-motoring county council leader Keith Mitchell, who drives a BMW Z3, added: "If it is introduced it will be because the Government has forced it on us.

"It's not on our agenda in the current Conservative-Liberal Democrat administration.

"And it is not on the Conservative agenda as we approach an election."