Park-and-glide plan for city

Commuters could soon travel to the city by boat

Commuters in Oxford could soon be bypassing the traffic jams and travelling to work via the River Thames.

One of the city's oldest companies Salters Steamers plans to use 150-seater boats as part of a new "park-and-glide scheme".

The firm says with new moorings next to car parks on the city outskirts, the boats could take shoppers and commuters into the city.

Now Oxford City Council has included the idea as part of its bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

'Ease congestion'

Salters Steamers director Neil Kinch said: "The park-and-glide scheme is in its very early stages and is far from finalised as 2008 is still a long way off.

"But it is feasible and is a formal part of the bid.

"It would be something a bit different to ease the traffic congestion."

The firm has 11 diesel-powered river boats which run trips as far as Windsor.

Oxford is on the shortlist of six cities bidding for the title of European Capital of Culture for 2008 alongside Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff.