Bob Price, Labour leader of Oxford City Council, is wrong to dismiss the possibility of trams for Oxford (Oxford Mail, May 26).
Of course, the massive Manchester-style tram systems that cost more than £250m are not practical or suitable for a constrained, historic city centre such as Oxford.
However, the lightweight trams which require neither electrified rails nor overhead lines are ideal.
They are attractive, flexible, inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
This solution is what the Greens - and several local transport experts - have been promoting for many years.
Mr Price and his New Labour colleagues should know all of this.
Funds for a study to investigate such a lightweight tram system for Oxford have been in the Green budget many times over the last few years.
Unfortunately, our proposals have gained no support from either Labour or the Lib Dems.
Most recently, we proposed a new tram line from the train and bus stations to serve the expanded Westgate Centre - to be paid for by the developers.
Not only did Labour ignore this suggestion (along with many others for making this site more sustainable), but went ahead and approved a massive new shopping development, which will increase traffic and pollution in the city centre.
This was one of the reasons the Greens opposed this development.
Through actions such as this, Labour have demonstrated that their concern for the environment is little more than greenwash.
As former Oxford journalist George Monbiot recently wrote in The Guardian, Labour have proved to be the most right-wing Government since the war.
CRAIG SIMMONS (Councillor) Leader, Green Group Oxford City Council
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