AFTER reading Toby Benn’s letter in Wednesday’s Oxford Mail I was surprised that the M1 motorway of some 73 miles was completed in only 19 months, if what he says is correct.

If this is the case how do the powers that be justify 16 months to work on two roundabouts and, as Mr Benn says, half-a-mile of carriageway. I realise that this part of the A40 is a very busy road in a built-up area and this does slow works up.

In the days when the M1 was built its route was through virgin countryside with the probable compulsory purchase of some properties which were on the planned route. But come on, 16 months for roundabouts.

Of course, health and safety plays a big part in any works these days and looking at the guys with all that high- vis clothing on it must make them too hot to work as productively as those guys who built the M1 back in 1959.

MICHAEL CLARKE
Lewell Avenue, Old Marston, Oxford