Sir – As a resident of Summertown I am furious about the city council’s plans for what they call the ‘Northern Gateway’; as a Parliamentary candidate my inbox is overflowing with objections from worried locals not to mention a statement from the county council expressing serious concern.

The area has some of the worst traffic congestion in the county (especially around the Wolvercote Roundabout) and the addition of thousands more cars to area are likely to bring us to a standstill.

In addition, both the size and location of the scheme will potentially have a far-reaching negative effect on the economic and environmental health not only of North Oxford itself, but also Kidlington, Bicester and even Witney.

Of course, we all want to see economic growth and job creation supported by our local councils but, while there are better sites available in the West End, the Science Park even up in Bicester and to the south of the city, I cannot see any justification for ignoring the damage this plan could do to North Oxfordshire. It looks suspiciously like Labour’s first priority is a headline about spending on the economy in an election year.

I thought we elected the city council to protect our local environment and ensure sustainable growth around our local communities.

Nicola Blackwood, Summertown resident, Oxford West & Abingdon Conservative Parliamentary Candidate