SIR, We were pleased the developers of the new north-east Didcot estate of almost 2,000 houses took the time to visit Long Wittenham Parish Council two weeks ago, given that many of the houses planned are currently in our parish and the development would have a significant impact on us, particularly regarding traffic.

It is clear from the discussion that there are no plans to improve the road network north of the estate, and with the two bridges at Culham and Clifton Hampden already at capacity at peak rush hour, the strategy will be to deter traffic movements to the north.

This means there is a need for more traffic calming in Long Wittenham and a need for better cycle paths to Culham, which is planned to double in size, and we are pleased the developers are investigating how to help make these happen.

However, there is one sticky issue regarding access roads into the new development.

Surely, if the goal is to deter traffic going north, then the estate should not have the three planned access points to the north and east of the site, which would encourage traffic to travel via Long Wittenham to the north.

If the original SODC plans — only to have access to the A4130 to the south — are reinstated, then there is more chance that traffic will indeed be put off from travelling north.

The developers claim only 50 of the estimated 4,000 additional cars on the estate will travel north through Long Wittenham at peak rush hour, yet, based on the access points suggested on the plans, common sense would suggest far more will prefer this route to Oxford and beyond to the M40.

We have a meeting in December with highways when we will be making this point again.

Tom Bowtell, Chairman, Long Wittenham Parish Council