Several recent stories (Oxford Mail, September 10 and 11) made me feel that Oxford was exactly the right place for Alice in Wonderland.

First, Dr Alan Barr of Oxford University's particle physics department jokingly says: "We promise not to destroy the world" about his involvement in the experiment making particles collide at immense speed. It is no joke to try to replicate the Big Bang, as the scientists had little idea what the effect would be. It is irresponsible to endanger our planet, however slim the chance of a disaster may be.

Second, city council leader Bob Price bewails delays in redeveloping the Westgate Centre. But would it really be so bad if the Westgate remained unchanged? Admittedly the area might need some brightening up, but it would save people being ejected from their homes so that a developer can make some profit. A redeveloped Westgate will take business away from the other shops in Oxford and only increase the traffic pollution.

Third, the Country Landowners' Association hopes to run the Game Fair at Blenheim Palace again in 2012, despite the traffic disruption it caused two months ago. Its spokesman says: "The whole blame cannot be put down to traffic arrangements not being good enough."

However, despite a minor accident on the A34, the traffic arrangements for the 2008 Game Fair (and 2004) were clearly inadequate, so why should we tolerate it in 2012?

Fourth, Dr Sarah Thomas, the Bodleian Librarian, laments that the plans for a massive repository at Osney Mead have been turned down again. Perhaps the Bodleian and University planners should have thought harder before proposing a 20.3-metre-high building (on a flood plain!), when the Local Plan restricts building heights to 18.2 metres. The University owns plenty of land in and around Oxford, so it can surely find a more suitable site.

Tony Augarde Carlton Road Oxford