WE are all aware of the constant pressure to build more and more houses, something that makes me wonder how many extra layers of buildings can be added to the outskirts of a small town like Oxford before it can take no more.

Then, I saw the report (July 3) that someone had proposed a new town between Abingdon and Steventon, something, it was claimed, could satisfy the local housing demand. My first thought was that this might be a good idea but, on reflection, had many doubts.

To start with, we have a new town close by (Milton Keynes) and Bicester is quite rapidly expanding to become another – do we need one more in the area?

Elaine Bennett in her letter (ViewPoints, July 4), quoted Councillor Mary Clarkson who claimed more houses would be needed for commuters to London. Commuters are one of the problems with this area and are partly to blame for the high cost of housing in Oxford and, if a new town was built, I could imagine that a large percentage of the houses there being taken by people working in London.

Any increase in commuters will add more pressure to the already overloaded roads and transport system.

Further, there would be an increase in the demand for water from the Thames – is that feasible?

Short of getting more London businesses to relocate to areas of high unemployment, I feel that any new town should be located as close to London as possible
DERRICK HOLT, Fortnam Close, Headington, Oxford