Oxford City Council’s Strategic Plan for Jericho’s Canalside Development is reported in the current Jericho Echo and its site plan shows two alternative locations for a bridge across the canal for pedestrians and cyclists.

The southerly of the two is a continuation of Great Clarendon Street while the alternative leads across the canal from a community square in the heart of the development.

However, nowhere does the report mention that this bridge has been intended as the missing link in the cycle route from north Oxford to the railway station, taking cyclists along Walton Street, straight down Great Clarendon Street and across the bridge. At long last, cyclists will no longer have to run the gauntlet of heavy traffic round Worcester Street and Hythe Bridge Street. This new route will be simple, direct, and well away from the rest of the development.

The alternative location is offered on the supposition that cyclists will vitalise the square, but this is a false prospectus. Were this to go ahead, scores of commuting cyclists would have to plough their way through Jericho’s side streets in order to find the square in the first place, then run the risk of causing confusion with the community use of the square.

It is to be hoped therefore that local interests will recognise the importance of protecting this square for community use, and the planning authority will stick to its guns and follow through its original intention to complete this vital link for north Oxford.

NIGEL HISCOCK, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford