Sir - Remembrance Sunday provides the only opportunity in the year to experience one of the great sights of Oxford - a traffic-free St Giles.

The street is closed from midnight and before or after the Remembrance ceremony, it is possible to walk the entire length of the area, free of all traffic and parking, and appreciate what a magnificent urban space it is, flanked by ancient buildings and mature trees. It is potentially one of the great experiences of Oxford, but can be grasped only briefly.

Although the road is officially closed until 2pm on Remembrance Sunday, cars were pushing their way past the barriers by noon.

I would like to suggest that the experience be made available more widely. Oxford lacks any large urban space where people can walk and socialise without the danger of being knocked down by traffic.

The Broad has reverted to being a car park, with cars coming and going, and Radcliffe Square is very much a restricted, university place.

What I propose is that on one Sunday per month, from April to September, St Giles is closed to traffic and parking prohibited.

The street can then be thrown open to the public to enjoy and, perhaps, host small-scale entertainments and markets.

All that is required is the agreement of the colleges and city council for the county council to make a traffic order.

No doubt there would be objections from some motorists, but the city failed to grind to a halt on Remembrance Sunday and manages to survive the three days plus of the St Giles Fair.

The only financial loss would be that of the parking fees for the county council, which is little enough in the grander scale of things, and could be made good from such sources as Lottery funding.

One could argue successfully that the quality of life in the city has declined over recent years, but here is one opportunity to reverse that trend and achieve it at little or no cost.

Paul Hornby

Walton Crescent

Jericho

Oxford