Sir – Oxford has led the way, outside London, in introducing a Low Emission Zone in the city centre from which high-frequency buses exceeding Euro5 emission levels are banned.

This has helped to reduce the NOx levels but the air quality is still breaching WHO guidelines.As transport is largely responsible for the pollution, any form of transport that reduces pollution has to be investigated.


It is odd, therefore, that Labour are maintaining that the East-West rail project, fully electrified, connecting Oxford through Bicester to Milton Keynes and Bedford, should not be supported by the city council in any practical way.  This project, due to be in place thanks to Government investment by December 2017, will not only remove hundreds of lorries from the A34 every day, but also provide a fast passenger route for commuters and shoppers into and out of Oxford city centre.
The recently signed City Deal is based on the ‘knowledge spine’ from Harwell through Oxford to Bicester and beyond. The Government is now supporting calls to re-establish the route to Cambridge, linking major science centres to boost economic growth to benefit the whole country.
Labour said in council on February 19 that we should not invest in rail when there were potholes in the roads. But there was no money for potholes in the Labour budget.
The outvoted Lib Dem amendment included, for a very modest outlay, funds to provide Oxford’s share of the East-West project costs. All local authorities along the route, except Oxford, have committed the funds they had agreed to provide towards this very welcome project.
The best way to reduce congestion and pollution in the city is to provide good alternatives to driving into the city. Buses help — the new electrified rail services will help even more and should be supported. 


Jean Fooks, Leader, Liberal Democrat Group, Oxford City Council, Oxford