Sir – Having lived for many years in both Oxford and Cambridge, I have long thought that our city could well learn something from our Fenland twin and so was very pleased to read that a delegation of the great and the good is to make a visit.

Whilst I have not often agreed with the views  of Keith Mitchell I think he, Sir John Bell and Ian Hudspeth have hit the nail on the head with unerring accuracy.

Perceptions of a city are very individual, affected by one’s personal circumstances and time of life, but I have always had the impression that in Cambridge the University/colleges, council, business and people were working together to create an environment in which it was agreeable to live and work. To put it another way, I had a very strong feeling that it was a city of which all these participants felt proud.

On the contrary, Oxford with its incredible potential, seems to be indifferent to the life of its citizens and within this attitude of indifference I include University, colleges and council. With the exception of the wonderful Ashmolean Museum and University Parks, the University does little but produce mediocre, self-serving architecture and the colleges seem content to rest closed in behind their walls. As to the council, one only needs to see the filthiness of Oxford streets  to appreciate the lack of pride.

To put it simply, Cambridge has a “can do” attitude whereas  Oxford is stuck in “yes, but” thinking. Contrast Cambridge’s car-free streets with beautifully designed sunken bus lanes to Oxford’s failure to get to grips with Broad Street etc.

I really hope this delegation will come back with the drive and commitment to do something positive, and that the saying “as you sow, so shall you reap” does not become the epitaph for the potentially promising future of our fine city.

Mike Haffey, Waterstock