Sir – The more we learn about the county council’s Transform Oxford scheme, the more it resembles a rehash of old ideas.

Although described as ‘a vision,’ it looks back to 1960s concepts of rigid separation between cars, bicycles and pedestrians which no longer work in small, overcrowded cities like Oxford.

The county seems unaware of the way space can be shared to the advantage of residents, visitors and business interests, even though several British cities have now adopted these ideas that are widespread in continental Europe.

The key to Transform Oxford is not what it says, but what it leaves out — in particular, there is no mention of reducing car traffic and car parking in the city centre. But this is the essential preliminary to any genuine transformation.

Without it, all we shall see is a series of piecemeal changes — moving bus stops, tinkering with routes, and pedestrianisation projects that will make cycling more difficult at a time when enlightened cities — and for that matter, the Government — are doing all they can to encourage more cycle use. The best thing that can happen now is that public consultation over Transform Oxford opens up into a broader agenda, focusing on a much more ambitious scheme.

We should start planning now for the future that is already looming: trolley buses instead of polluting diesels, reaching out into the extended city while feeding small electric buses that loop around the inner city, so that cyclists and pedestrians can enjoy shared space free from noise and fumes.

This should be a major proposal, developed jointly by county and city, designed from the start to attract substantial Government support and giving Oxford the world heritage status it deserves.

Maurice Holt, Oxford