JOHN Power’s “Councillor in glass house shouldn’t throw stones” letter (June 18) reveals how parochial his views are.

Oxford city roads do not end at their neighbours’ boundaries, they continue to run into the next communities.

This means Botley Road continues into North Hinksey and Botley, within the Vale of White Horse District Council area, with a much lower council tax levy, too.

He makes no mention of the fact that the loss of buses Janet Godden highlighted is currently causing problems either.

Many of us have views on the effectiveness of huge road route changes covered by Oxfordshire County Council transport strategy decisions.

Those of us living at the western end of Oxford and suffering traffic jams deep into our area wonder if Oxford City Council planning permissions have also contributed to these problems.

Why an industrial estate at Osney Mead with just one access and exit route?

Then there are all the large trading stores off Botley Road, the Park & Ride at Seacourt and possibly more problems when Waitrose open too.

All require access from the Vale road links into Oxford city itself for them to remain viable.

To set the record straight: Oxfordshire County Council has a strategic role for the whole county and includes councillors from all localities, duties which city councillors could not discharge.

During Cllr Godden’s time in the Cabinet 2001-5 her role was with children’s social care and not transport.

As a comparison, would John Power really have made such a personal attack against Andrew Smith MP and blamed him for the flooding issues around the Oxford area?

BRIONY NEWPORT
Stanley Close, North Hinksey, Oxford