Sir - I am in despair that we shall manage to trash a city even as beautiful as Oxford.

Through obeying Government directives and individual or corporate materialist aims we are despoiling our city of greenery, clean air, beauty and serenity.

Poor people, birds and wildlife, children, plants and trees are giving way to an environment fit only for creatures with iron lungs, eyes blind to anything other than money and hearts defeated by greed and despair.

Why can't we, the citizens of this still lovely, historic place persuade the powers that apparently be to value what we still have left that is people friendly, beautiful and will bring visitors and tourists who value these thing as we do.

Carole Guberman Oxford