Bypass could be good for city

Like Mr Singh and his neighbours on the Royal Parade Estate, I was initially horrified to read that the city council were proposing to build an eastern bypass so close to the city centre [‘New city bypass will ruin our lives’, Gazette, November 25].

However, on reflection I realise this is not the major high speed A28 bypass, complete with flyovers, etc, but just part of an outer city ring road, which if anything is even more badly needed!

Provided the road speed is limited and a low noise road surface is used near the houses, then it should not be too intrusive, as I can vouch for, living close to Rheims Way.

This new road would also provide, what I have long been advocating, an alternative route around the outside of the large housing developments proposed for the south of the city.

As to spoiling the view, well there is an old saying that ‘when you buy a house you are not buying the view’, that is unless you are prepared to pay for that as well! Though I don’t recommend that, as it gets too much to look after as one gets older!

No, provided the council is prepared to continue this new ring road around to at least the A2 bypass, and preferably on to the A28 on the far side of Thanington, then this would then form a complete southern ring road.

As for reducing the property values of houses nearby, the opposite could be true, as new buyers will appreciate not having to drive into the congested centre of Canterbury every time when they need to travel further afield.

I remember the inner ring road being built, when I cycled through Canterbury from south London to Broadstairs, in the early 1950s. It has served the city well, but this proposed outer ring road to supplement it will be a welcome long awaited addition. Mike Armstrong

Queens Avenue, Canterbury