Much has been written about the Abingdon road changes - most of it negative.

Shopkeepers, property owners and car drivers complain - loss of trade, delays.

My own experience, as a quite frequent visitor to the town over the last 50 years, suggests that the traffic congestion is less than it was at any time.

Shopkeepers are always on the receiving end.

If they look in the till and takings are down, there is not much to be done about it - except to point the finger.

Retail recession may well be the culprit - but it is easier to blame the council!

Driving to work is an unaffordable luxury if we want to keep our towns and ourselves healthy, to say nothing of the long-term impact of our indulgent habits.

As usual, we only hear the complaints - if people are happy, they don't write in.

No doubt there are a lot of people in the town who are happier with the present arrangement and would prefer it to stay that way.

The town exists primarily for the benefit of those, mainly town dwellers, who shop and have business to do there.

The more tranquil conditions, in Stert Street and High Street, in particular, have made those activities more pleasant and therefore more profitable to the town.

Peter Cousins,Mill House, East Hendred