Sir – Across the country Network Rail are being urged to remove level crossings on safety grounds.

As local councillors, we have worked with Network Rail to ensure that the level crossing used to reach the Trap Grounds allotments is replaced with as good an alternative as possible in the shape of a new ramp, bridge and spur direct to the allotments on the Port Meadow side.

The proposal will also finally allow St Philip and St James Primary School to have a much-needed expansion to its outdoor space, as was promised many years ago by the city council.

However, the Labour-run city council is now threatening to block this proposal. Bob Price is demanding that Network Rail rebuild two bridges in South Oxford with disabled access before he will agree to the closure of the level crossing at Aristotle Lane.

These two issues are in no way connected and it is simply unfair to try to assert that they are. They should be kept separate.

The county council has provided an environmental report about the contaminated land that will require cleaning up to be ready for the school — this work needs to be done as soon as possible.

The school hoped to have this extra land by September. Network Rail are ready to do extensive landscaping and install a new bridge which meets the requirements for allotment holders and the general public. Labour should be supporting this, not trying to use it as a political football.

Liz Wade, city councillor for St Margaret’s, John Howson, county councillor for St Margaret’s, Jean Fooks, Leader, Lib Dem group, Oxford City Council