Sir – Recent correspondence and reportage in The Oxford Times of goings-on in our great county and town led me to the conclusion that we are truly blessed by those who serve us and seek to develop our city and county.

 Consider the below from just one week’s perusal of The Oxford Times:

An apparently serious proposal for moving pavements by councillor Mike Gotch caught the eye (Letters). This from a town where the static pavements are maintained so poorly.

Or, the constant clamour for trams with absolutely no consideration of the realities of cost — or their quite limited capacity.

A Mr Gill (Letters) suggested trams running on a relatively short circuit in the centre (so no tram shed… etc) — trolley buses would be cheaper, less disruptive, quicker to implement and, I suggest, a more effective solution.

Or, the proposed and deeply unpopular Doric development at West Way Botley — where the artist’s impressions of this completely inappropriate scheme seem to lose the A34 right in front and where the local council involved, Vale of White Horse, seem to have been persuaded that nothing could be better for Botley despite many obvious failings.

Or, plans for 1,500 homes for Woodstock that more than double the size of the town.

Or, county councillor David Nimmo Smith proposing managed decline for road maintenance. What madness is this?

Our county council spend £6m per annum on maintenance of the roads in the county, out of a county council spend in excess of £1.1bn.

We are truly blessed

Simon Jefferson,  Oxford