Sir – Is the University entitled to close a public footpath every Christmastide? It legitimately closes Mesopotamia, which is University property, on Christmas Day and certain other days.

When it does so, however, it fixes a metal barrier at the point where a footpath leads from the cycle track (the one across the New Marston water meadows) to a bridge over the Cherwell giving access to Mesopotamia.

This footpath, a straight one between hedges, does not lead anywhere except to this bridge, but it is a public right of way.

Unless the University has permission (from the county council, perhaps), it should put the barrier at the far end of this footpath, at the bridge, and not obstruct a public right of way.

A. M. Hughes, Headington