Villagers attacked plans for a new park and ride scheme, claiming it would increase traffic and pollution and threaten the green belt, writes Alison Bartlett.

More than 80 residents from Kidlington and Gosford voiced their concerns at a public meeting at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, last night.

After a five-week public inquiry held 18 months ago, an independent inspector expressed concern about the impact of original plans on traffic safety and the environment. Roger Williams, a transport consultant for the county council, last night defended revised plans, with parking reduced from 1,000 to 800 spaces, claiming that Kidlington residents would benefit from the scheme.

Mr Williams argued that Kidlington would face only a three per cent rise in traffic flow at peak hours and that the park and ride would divert traffic away from north Oxford, easing congestion at the Cutteslowe roundabout. The scheme would also eradicate fly parking. But villagers claimed that Kidlington was being made the "whipping boy for the Oxford Transport Strategy's mistakes".

One villager told the meeting: "For the past ten years I have sat on a bus every day. I would like to ask county council experts if they realise it would take park and ride users 50 minutes to travel into the centre at peak times.

"The scheme represents absolutely no advantage to Kidlington, only to Oxford." Victoria Wilson, who regularly cycles from Kidlington to Oxford, said cyclists would have to cross two lanes of traffic and a bus lane at the park and ride entrance.

She said: "If cyclists travelling in both directions are sharing the track with pedestrians, then it is clearly a dangerous situation for everyone."

John Disley, senior county council transport planner, agreed that measures would be needed to help cyclists. Many villagers were worried about the loss of green belt land and feared that there would be pressure for further urban development.

Resident Mike Makepeace said: "What is being played down by the county council is green belt encroachment. The park and ride will create a corridor through to Oxford."

Andrew Hornsby-Smith, who represented the parish council at the inquiry, recommended other sites outside the green belt that would not destroy green belt land. He said: "If a park and ride is built in Kidlington it will compromise the viability of plans to build a station in the next two years. People will be attracted to use the park and ride rather than the train and this will delay us getting a much-needed rail link."

He also estimated that a further public inquiry could cost Cherwell District Council, the county council and parish council a combined total of 131,000.

But county council representatives insisted it was an ideal site, near a main road and bus lane. County councillor for South Kidlington David Green warned: "Kidlington people are jealous of the green belt between Kidlington and Oxford and will not let that go without a fight."

The renewed proposals will be considered by the county council environment committee on September 20 and the operations sub-committee on October 12.