Sir – I’m sure that the hearts of all citizens go out to the cyclists who find the Botley Road railway bridge such a trial (Report and editorial, March 29). Indeed, I have often felt their frustration when they almost scratch my car as they push past in their natural eagerness to jump the red traffic light at which I am waiting.

I have the perfect solution: 1. The bridge should immediately be closed to all traffic except cyclists. I would include pedestrians since I know from experience that they tend to get in the way of cyclists.

2. Network Rail should immediately embark on a five-year programme of widening the bridge. This should cost little more than £50m. The aim should be to provide, on each side of the road, a cycle lane wide enough for cyclists to ride comfortably three-abreast, as they do on the Woodstock Road.

This will, of course, mean that rail traffic over the bridge will have to be suspended for the interim. But rail passengers can easily change at Banbury for London, and at Birmingham and Bristol for Reading.

The only downside I can see is that the bridge-widening will inevitably involve the loss of some of the cycle parking at Oxford station.

Nigel Clarke, Oxford