IN his understandable defence of the proposed Transform Oxford scheme, Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell cites a “quality bus partnership” (Oxford Mail letters, March 30).

This, of course, would be marvellous; a voluntary agreement between the local authority and bus operators. But what the Conservative regime at County Hall is actually likely to do is to listen very politely to the bus companies, and then do exactly what it wants – as it did with residents’ parking charges. Listen and ignore.

I know that the bus companies (and almost every other group) have severe doubts about the proposed relocation of bus stops from Queen Street into Castle Street, St Aldate’s and New Road.

Will it cause chaos? Yes it will.

Will it reduce the number of buses using the city centre? No it will not.

But, mark my words, Mr Mitchell will get his way. Bus stops will be relocated and Queen Street will be repaved, whatever anybody else says. Listen and ignore.

JOHN SANDERS, Labour county councillor, Headington Road, Oxford