I WRITE regarding the Conservative Party leaflet on Improving Oxford’s London Road.

First, let me say we will all miss the friendly road workers who have occupied the traffic lights at the London Road/ Headley Way/ Brookside junction for the past six months or so – if, and when, they ever finish the job.

I’d like to know who organised this leisurely, timeless contract.

The suggestion of 20mph speed limits on minor roads makes a little sense, but only during school hours on school days. At other times the streets are reasonably clear and safe enough for a 30mph limit.

Slow traffic greatly increases street level pollution and global-warming. On no account should main road traffic be slowed any further; London Road has slowed down so much already that we are all forced to move around at a snail’s pace.

Even teenage students now seem incapable of crossing a road except at pelican crossings. Slower – almost stationary – traffic would also lead to ambulances at the four Headington hospitals making a far louder racket than the terrible din they make already.

The beleaguered, abused, fume-choked residents of Headington and Marston, and all the patients and medics, would be best served by re-routing 12,000 vehicles a day via a 250 metre underpass direct from the ring road to the car parks at the JR hospital.

This would free up London Road and most of the side streets, clean the air and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

It would also pay for itself in local business efficencies and create many construction jobs.

But, for heaven’s sake, enforce a short contract with more jobs – and then we might actually get the work done in our own lifetimes.

Noel Hodson, SW2000 Intelligent Transport, Brookside, Oxford