COMMUTERS using Thornhill park-and-ride to take buses to London, Heathrow and Gatwick could soon be charged.

Oxfordshire County Council is considering introducing a charge to pay for the rising costs of running the site after a 540-space expansion, estimated to cost between £3-4m.

The 850-space car park is often full to capacity by 9.30am most weekdays.

The council’s cabinet member for growth and infrastructure, Ian Hudspeth, said: “Thornhill is unique among Oxford’s park-and-ride sites in terms of the high demand for travel into London. While this has become an important feature of the site, our priority remains to protect core use for travel into Oxford.

“Introducing a small fee for motorists travelling to other destinations represents the most viable option.”