County councillors have rejected proposals to double park and ride charges in Oxford.

The city council wanted to increase parking charges at the city's four park and ride car parks to £1, because the current 50p charge does not cover the cost of providing security at the sites.

However, members of the county's highways sub- committee yesterday rejected the move, saying it would lead to more people driving in to the city centre. They said they would only be prepared to allow an increase to 60p.

City council leader Cllr Corinna Redman said the city had offered a compromise increase of 70p and added: "We shall have to consider where we go from here.

"We reduced the proposal to 70p because we listened to retailers who said it would damage trade.

"But we are very concerned the city is subsidising park and rides at too high a cost. The county council does not seem to appreciate this."

County councillors agreed to bring Sunday parking charges in Oxford in line with weekday fees, and backed plans to double penalty charges from £40 to £80 at all city car parks.