Access problem still exists

MAY I ask the writer of the letter suggesting that the scheme to remove the pedestrian bridge between the railway station and the main shops be changed if his proposed light-controlled crossing includes a muchneeded crossing at the town end of Crescent Bridge to allow the 500+ families living on the south side of the bridge to reach the railway side more easily?

At the moment, the only option for many older residents in wheelchairs and mums with pushchairs is to use the underpasses, which take them towards the bottom end of town away from the shops in Westgate, the library end of town.

There has already been one death as a pedestrian tried to cross Bourges Boulevard.

Now, some 12 years ago, the then city engineer Andy Walford had a costed scheme to install a lift or escalator to give access to Queensgate.

If this were included, presumably at Queengate’s expense, then it could be a possible answer for everyone.

It seems rather a pity that the city has ended in this situation.

When Bourges Boulevard was being first planned, there was a scheme that instead of coming into the centre of town, it would only come as far as about Taveners Road and then go to Broadway to join the Frank Perkins Parkway, via, I think, a redeveloped Huntly Grove and Padholme Road area, thus leaving the railway station and all the shops as they were then in one piece.

What other schemes do other readers have to solve what could be a difficult problem, which now needs solving if this additional shopping space is to be created?

Or will the scheme go ahead as just more office space needing access for its staff, visitors and their cars.

PHIL PUMPHREY Thorpe Lea Road,

Peterborough