SIR: I should like, to add my comments to those of Mrs Russell,(Your views, April 12), concerning the beacon crossing on Market Street, Stoneclough. She is quite justified in refuting the assertion that the volume of traffic does not warrant a modern pedestrian crossing. Those who know this stretch of road may well wonder how this assessment was made.

But equally, or more importantly, is the proximity of the crossing to the bend, a driver, particularly one exceeding the speed limit, would hardly have time to brake - and people do exceed the speed limit, as they were doing last week, when I attempted to cross there with my 10-year-old grand-daughter and her friend. I have told the girls that they should never cross the road near a blind bend, but this is precisely what anyone using this crossing is obliged to do.

Having put our lives in jeopardy, I decided it would be safer to cross further down the road, which we did. (So much for road safety lessons!) Whether I was right or wrong, the fact remains that this is a dangerous crossing, and I would strongly urge the residents of this area to give their whole-hearted support to Mrs Russell in her efforts to forestall the accident which, as things are, we believe to be inevitable.

R R Finch

Hillside Avenue, Bromley Cross

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