Sir – As representatives of places of worship on St Giles in Oxford, we wish to express our alarm at the proposed introduction of parking charges on Sundays in the St Giles area by the county council.

St Giles is distinctive in having a large number of well-established places of worship in a small area.

On Sunday mornings, in particular, most of the activity on St Giles is due to religious services, with many people travelling considerable distances to attend.

The works of our places of worship are not only of spiritual benefit to those who avail of them, but have considerable social benefit in building up community and networks of care.

The proposed introduction of parking charges would be a serious threat to the work of institutions that have been an important part of Oxford life for decades, if not centuries. We strongly urge the county council to reconsider.

Rev Fr Jonathan Baker, Principal, Pusey House

Rev Canon Dr Andrew Bunch, Vicar, Parish of St Giles

Rev Dr Peter Groves Parish Priest, Parish of St Mary Magdalen

Very Rev Dr John O’Connor, OP Prior, Blackfriars

Very Rev Daniel Seward, Cong. Orat.

Parish Priest, Parish of St Aloysius