Sir - Oxford Ice Rink improves the fitness and social development of many youngsters.

It makes a loss, but one reason is that it is too small for top competitions. I praise Oxford City Council for planning a new, bigger rink.

But why are councillors considering siting the new rink on the ring road? I first asked this in January 2006, but councillors answer me without explaining this.

Councillor Goddard suggested to me that shuttle buses could run to coincide with skating sessions. Wouldn't this be an impractical answer to a self-inflicted problem?

The current rink is within walking distance from the rail station, bus and coach station, and local bus routes from most Oxford neighbourhoods.

Many of its users are youngsters who don't drive, and many travel in from a wide area outside Oxford.

Relocation to the ring road would encourage more car journeys and deter many people who don't have cars.

Oxford's new rink should be as central as the current one. And as this one serves most of Oxfordshire, shouldn't the county council or district councils pay a fair share towards building its replacement?

When our new rink opens the current one should be dismantled and its site redeveloped. It was designed by a famous architect, whose fans want it saved as a "distinguished" modern building. Unfortunately its distinctions are: 1: It is too small to be profitable 2: It is a temporary building, designed to last ten years and now worn out after 24 3: Its appearance clashes with Oxford's other modern buildings, let alone the historic ones!

I support the city council's investment to keep our current ice rink working pro tem. It should not close until its replacement is opened.

But after that, saving this loss-making building for posterity would be a waste of public money.

Hugh Jaeger, Oxford