Sir - What do we really want for Oxford, bearing in mind that the city has a lot of arterial roads, shopping streets and residential areas?

Isn't the objective to achieve a more pleasant, safer city throughout? If that's the case, then limits will have little chance of achieving it. Why?

At a basic level, 20mph limits, assuming they are adhered to, have the potential to make life very unpleasant indeed for cyclists. A 20mph limit will greatly increase the time cyclists are alongside cars doing a similar speed. That, in turn, greatly increases the amount of potential conflict, making the streets less safe. Also, how will we tackle the issue of speeding cyclists?

Many riders - me included - frequently cycle faster than 20mph in Oxford.

Of course, the limits would need enforcing, either with citywide cameras or citywide calming. Neither of those options seems cost-effective, pleasant or likely to improve the built environment.

There are plenty of streets in Oxford where 20mph and below is desirable. These generally have the sort of environment where drivers naturally slow down. The sort of drivers who don't, won't be deterred by another sign adding to the clutter that's already there.

If we really want a more pleasant, safer city, might I suggest that we investigate lowering speeds in key areas with a series of shared space schemes?

They've worked well in continental Europe, make areas more, rather than less, physically attractive, and redress the balance in favour of cyclists and pedestrians.

Mark McArthur-Christie, Bampton