I WOULD normally not waste my time in replying to such a piece of writing as that which Roy Darke contributed to your column on September 30.

I could be forgiven for not understanding the way in which the proposal for this development, and of course the link road across Northway estate, has been presented to the residents of Northway – full of patronising platitudes and dissemblance.

I am not guilty of “offensive imagery” – has he seen the site?

In his letter, he quote me as “having not understood”.

I understood all too well. I was invited to the hearings in July 2012 and spoke at all of them.

What I “had not understood” at the meeting of September 12, 2013, is how Mr Darke and his cohorts, when presented with the real fears about the destruction of Northway Estate, and the dangers to which we will all be exposed, can close their ears, eyes and minds in their haste to dig their way out of this ill-thought-out adventure.

When no other body would agree to allow an access/exit road across their land they used the age-old method – dump it on the council estate. Residents on council estates are not prepared to lie down and let their “elders and betters” (or their traffic) roll all over them any longer.

No, Mr Darke, neither I, my committee nor our residents lack understanding of your actions and ambitions but personally we would feel happier if you and your associates would stop blaming the victim.

JANE COX chairman, Northway Residents Association Meaden Hill Oxford