Sir – Thank you for the front page coverage on “predictable problems ensuing from charging at parks” (August 16).

I would add that the other related predictable problems arise from the number of commuters moving further northwards to park their cars given the parking restrictions introduced between Summertown and the ring road as well as the increased volume of cars due to the growing number of multiple occupancy houses and apartments in our area.

These are all problems of urban growth in our city that urgently requires a longer-term vision and approach to manage this growth and which looks at neighbourhoods and the needs of their people as a whole, instead of dealing with small chunks of the bigger problem in isolation. It was entirely predictable that introducing parking charges in Cutteslowe would push cars into Harbord, Lovelace and Templar Roads.

It is entirely predictable that the proposed measures for Five Mile Drive and Harbord Road will not only have an impact on the residents and their visitors, but will further displace parking from commuters and park users into other neighbouring streets.

It is entirely predictable that residents of all the streets will continue our campaign for a more intelligent approach that considers the needs of our neighbourhood as a whole. City council spokeman Louisa Dean states — incredibly — that the council has received few complaints regarding parking issues in the Cutteslowe area. Well, that may be about to change!

There is a problem and the proposed solution will not solve it. Local people need a chance to debate solutions with the city council and to be heard in making alternative proposals. Getting rid of the parking charges in the park would be a great start.

Pauline Alvarez, Oxford