Sir — I recently received a request to take part in a consultation from the county council on the proposed traffic improvements to the Kennington and Hinksey Hill roundabouts.

It is difficult to see the purpose of this consultation since I am told on the one hand that my views and opinions matter, but on the other that this consultation is mainly for my information.

I understand a decision is to be made by Rodney Rose in July.

As far as I can gather the funding of this scheme which involves £3m of county council capital expenditure is largely from funding outstanding from “The Access to Oxford” scheme.

This was put forward unsuccessfully for Government funding, and planning for it was started before the economic downturn and ongoing cuts in public spending which have had such serious effects on public services in Oxfordshire.

It is ridiculous now in my view in the changed economic climate to spend £3m of public money on road improvements, which may or may not improve the traffic flow around Oxford, and will probably lead to more proposals elsewhere in the system for costly transport proposals.

This capital could be better spent on areas of real social need like education, youth services or social services.

On the other hand, it could even be not taken out at all, obviating the need to pay interest over what are likely to be several years of economic difficulties and tightening of public spending, and allowing this money to go to areas of real social need instead.

Judy Chipchase, Oxford