Sir – One of the delights of Oxford is the penetration of green spaces into the urban area including the areas north of Botley Road.

Developments which eat into these areas should be resisted by the city council and it is disappointing that the city council is proposing to double the size of the Seacourt Park and Ride, concreting a large pasture field in the process.

It is claimed that such developments are essential and that park and rides are a ‘good thing’. I dispute this as research exists to prove that park and rides increase vehicle movements rather than reduce them.

If the ultimate aim is to reduce vehicles within the centre of Oxford the only certain method is to close roads.

Vehicles will always increase to fill the road space available and the attraction of car parks will increase the demand.

The university has nearly 12,000 parking spaces (filled every day) and the massive new car park under construction at Westgate will only worsen the flow of vehicles into the city centre. In such a situation park and rides are no more than sticking plaster to a deep wound.

However, it would seem likely that the Seacourt site will be expanded but its impact could be reduced if the new spaces could be provided on a second level rather than eating into green spaces.

This is working well enough at Oxpens and would reduce the possible flooding risk which is of such concern to local residents.

Paul Hornby
Oxford