These routes are not where problems are

AFTER reading the report in the Chronicle re the proposed alterations to our fair city (September 5), I must take issue with the areas chosen by the council to make life more miserable for the motorist.

All the areas chosen are not areas of much pollution from traffic. The reason? No buses or heavy goods use these routes.

The discerning motorist will be able to say who the polluters are. Have you ever queued behind these vehicles? We the long-suffering motorists have on numerous occasions and have to shut off the air systems on the car or end up being gassed and suffering with headaches.

For the utmost folly go to Ridley Place in the city centre. The council have narrowed the road and put tables and seating in the place of road so people can buy and eat sandwiches etc, not two foot or less from traffic.

The vehicles there are not only those delivering goods etc, it is one of the few places where disabled people can park close to the main shopping area.

I have on occasion used the road where other restrictions have been installed, and I have never been aware of polluted air even when on a pushbike.

Believe me, when your lungs are under pressure as they are when cycling, anyone would know that you would be more

sensitive to pollutant air.

All the areas chosen by the council including Stoneyhurst Road are among the least polluted. I foresee great problems for Chillingham Road and Gosforth High Street. There is no provision for emergency traffic when the road is reduced to one lane in each direction.

Emergency traffic will be forced to trundle along at a snail’s pace, bearing in mind the number of traffic lights within these areas. I believe this is just another example of a council taking advantage of the virus to rush changes through regardless of public opinion.

It is a shame that people don’t remember these things at election time. Judging by the present footfall in the city, this could be the nail in the coffin for shops in Northumberland Street and Chillingham Road.

I drove through Byker the

other day, what a depressing sight; the number of shops closed down is mind boggling.

We are sleepwalking into a disaster, once these places are gone they are gone – wake up and smell the coffee.

CASSANDRA