Sir – Wootton needs a cycleway to Abingdon. The B4017 has had 12 cycle casualties in the last decade: nine slightly injured, two seriously injured and — in 2004 — one killed.

Parishioners have wanted a cycleway since the 1980s. One was planned under Oxfordshire’s Local Transport Plan 2001–06.

The county spent £52,000 designing it, gave Wootton three options, and parishioners chose a continuous cycleway estimated at £450,000. The county built other cycleways, including one to Horspath for £375,000 in 2004. But by 2006 Oxfordshire had shelved Wootton’s cycleway. Wootton’s two serious cycle injuries were in 2010. Had its cycleway been built, these and other casualties might have been avoided.

The county claimed it couldn’t afford Wootton’s cycleway. But in 2009, Oxfordshire squandered almost three times its estimated cost on worthless schemes that undermined low-carbon travel without reducing casualties. Queen Street had very few casualties, but in 2009 Oxfordshire removed its bus stops and many of its buses. This meant rearranging a total of 24 central Oxford bus stops at a cost of £985,000. In the same year, putting 20mph limits throughout Oxford wasted another £233,000 without reducing traffic speeds.

Now campaigners want a £2m cycleway from Eynsham via Farmoor to Botley, substantially funded by our taxes.

Since 2006 the B4044 has had a 50mph limit that most motorists obey. It has had only three slight and one serious cycle casualties in 10 years, and no cycling fatality since 1978. Cycleways have health and environmental benefits and one through Farmoor would be useful. However, substantial casualty reduction deserves priority. Wootton’s need is substantial and long-standing.

Hugh Jaeger, Oxford