Traffic 'not banned'

SIR - I am beginning to wonder why your regular correspondent Mr P. Milton is getting so involved in the Newport/Taw Vale/Square traffic issue in what is, after all, a county council Highways matter. Does he live or work in the area or just want to use th

SIR - I am beginning to wonder why your regular correspondent Mr P. Milton is getting so involved in the Newport/Taw Vale/Square traffic issue in what is, after all, a county council Highways matter. Does he live or work in the area or just want to use the road himself? Is he an elected representative or a mouthpiece for Tory district councillors (it is not a district matter and can they not speak for themselves?), or is it just self-seeking publicity?Much of his comment is, in my opinion, either misleading, wrong, scaremongering or simply illogical.He says "trade has been heavily hit since traffic was banned." It is not banned - it can still pass through Newport and along Taw Vale and can access businesses in The Square if it wishes and can park at both. Traffic is not banned from Taw Vale and can now use this route for easy access to businesses at The Square.He says re-opening Taw Vale to traffic onto The Square will not create congestion or rat-running. How ludicrous - of course it will. Traffic will inevitably migrate along Taw Vale (if not, why does he want it opened?) and there will be congestion as traffic tries to exit at The Square junction. Traffic will try to cross against the flow of traffic causing delays, back-ups and frayed tempers. Traffic turning right from The Square into Taw Vale will cause tail-backs and public transport in all directions will be held up. Has anyone asked the views of the public transport companies?He talks of being "mown down" by taxis and buses in Taw Vale. With the wide pavement adjacent to the river this is highly unlikely. Surely crossing the road is far safer and easier when there are few vehicles compared with trying to dodge across heavy traffic. Mr Milton clearly wants to revert to 5mph, 20-minute queues to get to businesses and the hotel in The Square!Shoppers wanting to visit premises in Newport or The Square will do so because, with the current arrangements, they can, and can park nearby. How many of the Newport businesses really rely on speculative passing vehicular custom rather than local homes and passing pedestrians and drivers going specifically to a good shop providing good services that they want?In summary: Drivers can access all businesses in Newport and The Square with little delay and conveniently if they so wish. It appears to me that in Mr Milton's eyes, the car must remain king and he gives little thought to the pedestrians, cyclist or public transport users.Peter Bradshaw, Chittlehampton.* SIR - It was reassuring to read Mr Greenslade's letter in last week's Gazette in which he stressed that residents' quality of life was of prime concern to him. I am also pleased to read that he is a believer in acting on the results of "extensive consultations." Consultation will have told him that, in respect of Care Homes, the community does not want the residential homes in our communities, particularly the smaller ones, replaced by blocks of supported living units. Can we now confidently look forward to an early reprieve for all the Council Care Homes currently at risk and the relief of their worried residents? - Tony Martin South Molton.