Previously the county council have rigorously pursued a policy in Oxford to expand many current one form entry primary schools. The expansion in these schools has served to reduce school resources while doubling pupil intake.

This action is opposite to the new county council campaign (July 23) to encourage active lifestyles. Why then remove these opportunities from primary provision – squeeze in more children but remove their sports hall and indoor spaces?

Many children and their parents are unable to access their local primary school as it is full. They can’t afford to move and pay even higher accommodation rentals near to schools where expansion has taken place. The county council have had to increase their long-term spending to taxi young children – from four-years-old – across the city away from their parents and community, increasing traffic congestion and pollution.

How then can Melinda Tilley speaking about the recent school transport consultations on Radio Oxford (July 21) say she has to make savings and therefore was proposing a policy to reduce costs in transporting children to school? Ian Hudspeth also stated he wanted children to attend local schools where children can walk or cycle to school. Why then have they adopted the opposite strategy?

Come on, councillors, you can’t have it both ways.

ELAINE BENNETT

Marston Road Oxford