I AM writing as your paper has been providing an excellent forum for discussion on the merits of the Western Conveyance.
As a former Oxford town planner since the 1970’s, I have long been aware of the valuable gravel deposits under Hinksey Meadows. There have however been major difficulties for gravel companies and other interested parties to extract the gravel. It occurs to me, maybe it’s a flight of fancy, that some of Britain’s more enterprising people might have thought up a solution.
How about supporting major engineering work on a flood conveyance channel which would facilitate the removal of gravel and the added attraction of a large lake? Hinksey Sidings is a major gravel storage depot in southern England. No problem then to get gravel out by rail to facilitate the works required for HS2. Even better perhaps if Network Rail were to be put up for sale, and the Chinese of course are experts in the provision of bullet trains. More business after all is what everyone wants.
It would be a bit sad though if all this could happen under the cover of a flood alleviation programme for Oxford. Especially as mounting climate change will probably mean the alleviation scheme will not stop flooding for very long. In fact gravel extraction would make quite a mess of this Green Belt area that contributes so much to panoramic views of the dreaming towers and spires, but after Port Meadow who cares?
JUDY CHIPCHASE
Edith Road, Oxford
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