EVEN with disruption from the Frideswide Square roadworks expected only for the short term – Hythe Bridge Street is due to reopen in July – the number of cars being allowed to traverse the eastern half of Botley Road in Oxford is unacceptable.

Of course, going by car into central Oxford from any direction is a foolish idea any day but the time for making use of Oxford Bus Company service 400 from Seacourt Park & Ride has never been more ideal.

Frideswide Square is just the start.

The Westgate multi-storey car park has been demolished, reducing the availability of city parking.

And the Randolph hotel fire of Friday, April 17, has led to the ongoing closure of Beaumont Street westbound, slowing traffic to and from St Giles.

Motorists getting from the west to the north of Oxford have the ring road.

So what is putting off so many drivers from paying two small charges (£2 parking, £2.60 return fare) to get themselves swiftly into the city centre with services returning every 20 minutes?

Park & Ride exists for a reason.

Riding into Oxford in an attractively green, British-built Enviro400 hybrid in eight minutes or in a hot, idling car in about 35 minutes?

Do bus operators deserve unfair complaints on punctuality because of an entirely different type of vehicle?

Motorists, trust me.

It will be £4.60 well spent.

MATTHEW WALTER
Windmill Heights
North Leigh
Witney