Sir – Ralph Ingham-Johnson (Gazette Letters, July 17) seems to have an odd perception that many drivers in Witney are a race of simple folk who, having only recently recovered from the shock of seeing a horseless carriage for the first time, are quite content to potter about on local roads, avoiding motorways and trunk roads.

Perhaps he thinks that’s because we’re wary of having to pay the turnpike tolls?

Does he also think that we avoid night driving, lest a gentleman of the road should be lurking in wait?

Although it is possible, assuming judicious use of whip and words of firm encouragement directed at the motive power of one’s brougham, gig or trap, to exit the southern exit from Hill Farm bridge quite safely, perhaps Mr Ingham-Johnson should note that the inspector was, in fact, very well aware of the inappropriate use of the bridge by many and his conclusion was as follows: “The Hill Farm bridge and junction, which was only designed for accommodation use, carries a significant level of traffic at peak times. The nearby Shores Green Slip Roads would reduce the level of traffic using it and this would result in a highway safety benefit.”

The Cogges Link Road was indeed a flawed project. Whereas, in contrast, Oxfordshire County Council’s latest proposals for improving the Ducklington Lane/Station Lane/Thorney Leys/A40 junctions already show that, together with the Shores Green slip roads scheme, a significantly better solution for Witney’s traffic issues has been identified, which will also be less expensive than the Cogges Link Road – a scheme which was ultimately defeated by 25 years of persistence on the part of CPRE and others playing the role of David against the Goliaths of our councils.

NJ Wilcock, Manor Road, Cogges, Witney