Sir – The technician who was trying to fix the lights in Frideswide Square told me that although the traffic was running smoothly, it wasn’t safe for pedestrians.

I have a question for the traffic department: how long a queue of cars should we create in order to achieve theoretical safety improvements for pedestrians? Up to the end of Botley Road? Or do they need to reach Banbury Road? Is it just possible that the average pedestrian might be happy instead to make do with zebra crossings on the exit roads to the square?

Philip Allen, Oxford