SIR, The A338 comprises the only direct main route connecting Wantage/Grove with Oxford, Abingdon, Witney and the villages to the north of the railway.

The road and railway bridge are essential elements in the local infrastructure, as should be obvious to any competent professional agency. There is no way the A338 can be reasonably closed for the duration (reportedly up to six months) of the replacement bridge works; the gross adverse impacts on the local communities and economy that would result are self-evident.

The project should include the provision of a temporary bridge. Other commentators have advocated this and I strongly endorse it.

I have seen no details of the replacement bridge. The existing bridge pre-dates the post-Second World War growth of Wantage and Grove and is ‘out of date’.

Any replacement needs to cater for both current and foreseeable demands, including the additional 5-6,000 dwellings programmed for Wantage and Grove, and the Grove railway station.

Clearly a ‘like-for-like’ replacement is untenable. A consensus on the design and capacity of the replacement bridge is required before works commence.

It is essential for Network Rail and our county and district councils to get their respective acts together, and to collectively and effectively engage with the project in a sound and comprehensive manner, including genuine community involvement.

Local citizens can only look to their MP and councillors to ensure things are done correctly. It is actual results that will matter, not excuses or the blame game.

If the politicians fail Wantage and Grove on this, well, its people will know whom not to vote for in the future.

Come on, our politicians, this one really matters.

John Freeth, Sharland Close, Grove