WHEN considering our response to the ‘Access to Headington’ plans, it’s really important not to lose sight of the big picture.

What kind of community do we want to live in in the future? Do we want our neighbourhood to be a quiet, pleasant place to live in?

Cars are blighting our cities. They cause air pollution. They are noisy.

They make it less safe and less pleasant for people not travelling by car.

Every time someone decides not to use their car and to travel by a different means they are making a small personal contribution to improving the local environment for all of us. This needs to be encouraged and made easier and safer.

We need cities where walking, cycling or taking the bus are the normal ways of getting about – this would be better for all of us.

It’s particularly important for parents to see cycling and walking as safe and normal ways for their children to travel. Such habits developed in childhood are more likely to stick, to the long-term benefit of the individual and the community.

The ‘Access to Headington’ plans are intended to encourage people to leave their cars at home. This is an entirely good aim. Clearly the behaviour change needed for our communities to become safer, healthier and more sustainable will take time to achieve (as well as more investment). But on balance this plan is a step in the right direction.

JILL HAAS Margaret Road Headington