Waste of money

Whoever was the appalling spendthrift who thought up the idea of expensive stone, wider pavements and bus bays on one of the few streets in Oxford city and surrounds which needs neither?

Have not the city and county councils done enough to wreck the beauty of our ancient city without further enormous waste of taxpayers' money? Do the taxpayers of Oxford not understand that they are paying for all this unnecessary spending or do they look in with admiration as their money pours down drains in torrents?

We have yet to pay for the concreting of Bonn Square and the £300m for the new Westgate Centre - which we need like a hole in the head.

Meanwhile, young couples, some with a child or children, are crammed into the home of grandparents because there is no way they can afford to rent or buy a home of their own. Could not some of this money be 'wasted' on building council houses for them? If the councils must be seen to be doing their 'good deeds', the Oxford Tour buses could take a loop round the new, honestly affordable houses, and point them out to all and sundry.

Children and young teenagers are being squeezed out of the few facilities in which they could play or socialise (Meadow Lane Skate Park, for example). Why? No money to pay for repairs or new places. Increase size and lower charges at park-and-rides to get commuters' cars off the pavements in residential streets.

Make park-and-ride more attractive than a hefty fine. Place bus shelters against the wind - not facing it! Regret . . . no money for such fripperies. I am aware that I am living in a dream world.

P. St Clair, Oxford