Sir – When, several weeks ago, nominations closed for the election to West Oxfordshire District Council of one councillor for the Woodstock & Bladon ward it produced an entirely new situation.
Whereas two years ago there were just two candidates for election, on this occasion no fewer than seven nominations were submitted.
As the council member seeking re-election it was, to say the least, a somewhat unpredictable situation, which I naturally viewed with some trepidation. What I never expected was to receive not one but two most gratifying results.
Firstly, can I express my sincere thanks to the electors of Bladon, Blenheim and Woodstock for their support in not just returning me to the council, but doing so with an increased majority which, given six other contestants in the election, was the most gratifying of outcomes.
In my election address, under the title of ‘Battling for Bladon’, I had once again called for the double-tracking of the railway between Wolvercot junction and Charlbury to improve Cotswold Line train services.
Your edition last week contained the excellent news that Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron was calling for funds to be committed to this project in the next 12 months.
If, together with the Cotswold Line Promotion Group and the district council, we can maintain a united front, the last section of single-track line in West Oxfordshire will hopefully soon be eliminated.
JULIAN C COOPER
District councillor
Crecy Walk
Woodstock
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here