Sir – Mark Barrington-Ward (Letters, June 30) could have mentioned that ‘boulevards’ already exist for 300/400 metres on the A40 at both the Headington and Banbury Road roundabouts — with houses or flats facing the dual carriageway, separated by service roads, verges etc on both sides.
Environmental conditions for residents are very poor, caused by traffic fumes and noise — in spite of trees and bushes.
The ‘boulevard ‘ concept is flawed, particularly if, as is proposed, dwellings would actually face the 40,000 vehicles per day that currently use the dual carriageway.
To reduce the effects of fumes and noise, dwellings nearest to the A40 at new Barton West should be planned with windows to living rooms and bedrooms at right angles to the road — masonry gables resist sound much more effectively than glass!
Mike Gotch, Oxford city councillor, Wolvercote
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