Sir – Oxfordshire County Council may well have a good case to replace the Newbridge at Standlake. However, before this beautiful area of the Upper Thames — with its water meadows and ancient bridges — is changed irrevocably, surely we need to see a proper strategy for the A415 and its related road network before agreeing to any specific proposals. The effects on local communities of a new route and bridge, and the detailed design of any new bridge works, need to be carefully thought through.

Proposals should be based on a comprehensive plan for the whole route including the implications for Marcham and Standlake. Recent comments have tended to play down the potential impacts of A415 traffic on residents of Standlake.

CPRE has consistently supported the county strategy of concentrating population growth in the county towns.

The growth of Witney/Carterton and Abingdon/Didcot/Wantage requires an A-road network adequate to service these settlements. Rural areas will be seriously affected without suitable principal roads and traffic management in place.

After due consideration of overall strategy and alternatives, the agreed solution may involve a new bridge on a new alignment. The impact of this structure in sensitive countryside is so important that it deserves a design competition.

The cheapest solution suggested would be a travesty and good sympathetic design need not be more expensive.

No doubt local people have views about these issues — particularly which route will be least damaging — and we encourage them to respond to the county council by December 24.

Dr Helena Whall, CPRE Oxon