I READ F Heyman's opinions about the speed humps proposed for Sapling Road with some interest.
While able to appreciate the aggravation caused by those, like me, who commute to work outside his front door, I do not feel that his lot would be improved.
I regularly use the road that runs down beside the New Inn in Walkden, and the introduction of the "pimples" in the road has certainly altered my behaviour.
I can no longer drive with one eye on the road, and one looking under the edges of cars to detect children's feet as I prefer to do elsewhere, but must concentrate wholly on the road.
I can no longer give as wide a berth to cyclists as I used to, for my path is now predetermined.
I now find myself in an involuntary game of "chicken", as the vehicles parked by the roadside, combined with the impediment on my lane, force me to pass over the barrier as intended across the central lane, praying that the oncoming traffic, enraged by my being in their lane (300 yards in front of them), accelerate towards me to challenge my intrusion on "their" bit of road.
I do not travel more slowly than before, but I did not exceed the speed limit in the first place. The four-wheel drives and vans, however, seem to take a special joy in demonstrating that they can pass with speed over these barriers -- and I have been a passenger in a bus which got it slightly wrong: 70 people shook up at one go.
We all know that these measures are intended to gather votes for local politicians who listen to those who want their street turned into a private preserve, while having the freedom to drive elsewhere unimpeded. But I am uncertain as to the effectiveness of these as a safety measure.
R A Pearce
Hawthorne Road
Deane, Bolton
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