Lord Mayor of Oxford Bob Price and councillor John Tanner got on their bike Car-free Day has been hailed a success with Oxford's streets less clogged-up than usual -- unless you were trying to get into the city yesterday.

While Broad Street, St Aldate's and other city centre routes were less busy than usual, Botley Road was at a standstill well into the afternoon, clogged with motorists trying to get into town.

But organisers of yesterday's voluntary stand to ditch the car claimed hundreds of motorists decided to abandon their vehicles and arrive either by bus, bike or on foot.

Oxford City Council waived parking charges at its Seacourt, Redbridge and Pear Tree park-and-rides while parking at the Water Eaton and Thornhill sites, operated by Oxfordshire County Council, are already free to use.

But the car amnesty was ignored by some county councillors who said they did not agree with "gesture politics".

Leader Keith Mitchell and his cabinet colleague for transport David Robertson both drove into the city, in defiance of the ban.

Oxford cycling champion James Styring said: "It was a great success -- and for one day only we gave the city centre back to people who want to drink, eat, shop and browse without fear of the streets being a thoroughfare for traffic or being inconvenienced by white vans doing three-point turns. But sadly, it was for one day only.

"I think a huge amount of credit should go to Oxford City Council for supporting the initiative but the county council seems to be acting like playground bullies spoiling for a fight.

"We are told the authorities sing from the same songsheet, but where the city is in tune the county appears to be holding a wet copy back-to-front."

Next month the county council is waiving all on-street parking charges in Oxford after 6pm on weekdays and all day Sunday.

The pilot exercise is expected to cost the authority thousands of pounds in lost revenue and missed fines.