How will £2.5m scheme help us?

Mike Armstrong’s letter last week [‘City needs to grow to progress’] makes sense in referring to history and this also applies to the plans to improve traffic flows along the A28 in Wincheap [‘Major city route will be one-way’, Gazette, December 9].

I hear very little mention about the historic railway bridge which is close by the Wincheap roundabout. This bridge was built before the railway opened in 1860 and was designed only for pedestrians and horses. In those days 162 years ago the motor car was a distant dream, while today in places like Wincheap the car can be seen more as a nightmare!

This bridge has only two lanes and is an essential part of the infrastructure and determines the flow of traffic on the A28. Therefore, it will not improve traffic flow, if extra lanes are made along Wincheap and Simmonds Road, because they will all have to squeeze through the two lanes of this historic bridge where horses used to go.

Further evidence of this ‘pinch point’ are the height restrictions of 14’9” and 4.4m clearly marked to avoid ‘swipes’ of high sided vehicles that have got stuck under the bridge, causing disruption to both road and rail traffic.

Perhaps the planners and politicians can please explain how this scheme and expenditure of £2.5 million will benefit the public? And would it not be better to invest this money on some really sustainable transport? Robin Townsend

Railway Hill, Barham

The proposed new plan for 'improving' the flow of traffic in Wincheap is the latest example of councils wasting tax-payers' money to fail at solving a problem.

I know the media likes to accuse politicians of “kicking the can down the road” but this is what this scheme would do; traffic will still need to merge onto the main Wincheap road from Simmonds Road at the junction by The Maiden’s Head, which will cause more delays and increased pollution from vehicle fumes. In what way is this worth £15 million (although with the usual inffeciencies we can be sure it will probably end up costing three times that)?

Still, in these uncertain times, I suppose we should feel reassured that the ineptitude and stupidity of our elected representatives and their associates is as pitifully appalling as it has always been. Phil Johnson

Address supplied

Critics say a one-way system in Wincheap will not help ease traffic