IN THESE tough economic times it makes sense for the county council to charge motorists for parking at park-and-ride (Oxford Mail, August 21). But let’s do the job properly.

The proposed £3 for more than 11 hours at Thornhill and Water Eaton will still mean most London commuters parking for nothing.

A Labour county council would charge the same £1.50 which the city council already successfully charges at Redbridge, Pear Tree and Seacourt.

We would use a joint ticketing system with the bus company to charge extra to motorists using park-and-ride to travel by bus to London and Heathrow.

Oxford-bound motorists often cannot find a space at Thornhill because it is already packed with the cars of commuters to the capital.

Everyone would like free park-and-rides. But with the severe cuts imposed by the Coalition Government on local councils, something has to give.

We say make a modest charge at the park-and-rides and use the money for essential services.

The Tory-run county is turning away £250,000 a year by refusing properly to charge at Thornhill and Water Eaton.

The county council must also introduce early morning parking controls at nearby Sandhills, so that residents are not swamped with motorists trying to park for free.

Most car owners would be happy to pay if the money went to elderly and disabled people, young people and local residents.

We could, for example, stop higher charges at day centres, improve Dial-a-Ride, or support local libraries and youth clubs in Oxfordshire.

The Tories have accepted the principle of charging.

Now they should charge the same as Oxford City and make sure that London commuters pay their fair share.

Cllr JOHN SANDERS County councillor for Cowley and Littlemore Headington Road, Oxford Cllr JOHN TANNER County councillor for Isis Sunningwell Road, Oxford