COUNCILLOR Harkin's letter suggests that he and his fellows are well-intentioned.

The idea that speed humps will save lives is an interesting hypothesis, but, as far as I know, it has yet to be proved by valid research.

Maybe the council has access to empirical evidence that the public knows nothing of, or perhaps the council is doing its own research as it goes along?

Are speed humps going to --

a. prevent drunks from wandering into the road?

b. deter elderly people from using roads as if traffic did not exist?

c. stop insolent youngsters daring drivers to run them down?

d. look after young children who are poorly supervised?

e. prohibit football and games such as "chicken" in our streets?

f. halt the progress of reckless drivers, especially between humps?

I doubt it. Most of us would agree with Cllr Harkin that we do not live in an ideal world. But is laying lines of concrete across our roads the best way to make it a better place? On the contrary. It is the height of madness. At best it will be a waste of public money; at worst it will leave a legacy of damaged vehicles, injured travellers, air and noise pollution, delayed services and much exasperation.

John A Turner

Stonesteads Way

Bromley Cross, Bolton