MUCH has been made about the effects to businesses of the traffic problems in Oxford.

What has not been mentioned is the high parking charges at the Oxpens car park.

This is made worse by the pre-payment system, which means if, say, you think that you will be there for around 1¾ hours you either pay for up to two hours and risk a heavy fine if you get back slightly late, or ‘play safe’ and pay for up to four hours and end up resenting for paying for time you do not use.

I have overcome this dilemma. I no longer shop in Oxford but go to Swindon or Newbury instead. A small individual loss to Oxford shops but with no doubt many others like me a significant overall total.

John Yearley
Stockham Park
Wantage