Sir – The imposition of charges at the Thornhill park-and-ride might partly alleviate but will not solve the problem of insufficient spaces for both the commuters into Oxford (for whom Thornhill was intended) as well as the commuters to London who are attracted by bus services that are highly competitive to the train in frequency, duration, and fares (£13 return against £18 single). London bus commuters are also offered free breakfast from 5.40 to 7am.
Park-and-ride into town is the success story of post-war urban development in Oxford, the UK and abroad. The Oxford bus service to London and two international airports for residents in the city and the surrounding countryside is another success story and London commuters are themselves demanding a parking charge at Thornhill.
Investment in an enlarged Thornhill park-and-ride is clearly justified and would be economically viable with a parking charge of, say, £2.50 per day (400 spaces x 250 days = £250,000 per annum) that would still be very competitive with Oxford and Bicester railway parking (£24 per week).
Such construction works (spaces, shelters, toilets etc.) undertaken now, when borrowing costs are low, would take up slack in the economy.
It could also qualify as an infrastructure project by small companies under the scheme recently announced by the Chancellor.
Brian Wilson, Weston-on-the-Green
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