Sir – I read with interest your front page story (September 4), claiming that guided bus lanes could be the answer to congestion on the A40. Such a scheme may help some commuters to Oxford, but has enough research been done for us to know how much A40 traffic is travelling into or out of Oxford? This is a major east/west route.

Much of the traffic is not wanting to go into Oxford. Nor is the traffic problem only during a morning rush hour. At any time of day there can be serious congestion. The most frustrating congestion is during the late afternoon travelling west away from Oxford.

Any solution must include flyover junctions at Cassington, Eynsham and Freeland. The Wolvercote roundabout is, of course, the main problem. A slip road to the A34/A44 should help here but this should not depend on the Northern Gateway housing plan.

Colin Townsend, Witney