Sir – I was astonished to read the letter from councillors Fooks and Campbell (February 20) which tries to score party political points in addressing Oxford’s flooding disaster.


Surely they know that the councillors who represent the worst affected wards have been working with local residents, the Environment Agency (EA) and other partners for years — and especially since 2007 — to carry out various short-term measures like the ones that they now belatedly call for, with more to come?


This of course includes measures to absorb more water in the catchment areas to the north of the city. These have been extensively reported in your newspaper.


Their letter fails to explain why most of the Lib Dems on Oxford City Council refused to support the proposed Western Conveyance Channel, although the EA has asked us to support it on the grounds that other measures on their own would never be enough to save the city. I hope they are now ashamed.


Susanna Pressel, City councillor for Jericho and Osney Ward, County councillor for Jericho and Osney Division, Oxford