Calls are being made to introduce charges at Oxford’s remaining free park-and-ride sites.

And the man in charge of transport, Rodney Rose, said his answer to those calls “could be interesting”.

Oxfordshire county councillor John Sanders has tabled a motion for the county council to introduce charges at Thornhill and Water Eaton.

He said there has been chaos since three of the city’s park-and-ride centres started charging this month.

The Cowley and Littlemore councillor said: “I want us to make the changes to the final car parks and save the situation before there is a serious crash.

“It would just save an awful lot of hassle.”

The city council introduced charges at its Pear Tree, Redbridge and Seacourt park-and-rides on October 3.

For the first time in three years, motorists now face a £1.50 parking charge a day on top of the £2.20 return bus fare.

The Oxfordshire County Council-owned Thornhill and Water Eaton centres still offer free parking.

Drivers earlier this month said the move was causing chaos at the overcrowded Thornhill car park.

Mr Sanders said: “So, if the county council wants to score some brownie points and keep them free, then that is very nice. But look what it’s doing to Oxford. Cars are whizzing around the city looking for somewhere to park and the people who are suffering are the people of Oxford.”

He said it was causing major parking problems at the remaining free park-and-rides.

“At the moment if you are going to London for your job and turn up at Thornhill, you might have 10 minutes to find a space or you’ll miss your coach.

“Then you discover there’s no spaces, you’re going to abandon your car on any grass verge or anyone’s driveway.

“You will say ‘sorry, but my job is more important than your inconvenience’.”

He added: “Everyone is against charges, I am against charges.

“But the city council were faced with the position, do they charge at park-and-rides or do they throw people out on the streets?

“They needed the money from somewhere. And this would create an even playing field again.”

County council cabinet member for transport Rodney Rose said he would be giving a statement in response to the motion tomorrow.

He would not tell the Oxford Mail what his answer would be, but said “it could be interesting”.

The motion will be discussed at a full council meeting in County Hall tomorrow.