A road network that aggravates congestion

So the council want to close Shoppenhangers Road and use it as a bus gate.

The aim being to stop people using it as a rat run to avoid main road congestion.

According to the Royal Borough this will reduce traffic to provide safer spaces for cycling and walking while maintaining social distancing.

Perhaps if our main roads were designed to ease congestion rather than aggravate it people wouldn’t feel the need to use back streets, which after all are public roads which everyone has the right to use.

Why is the council hell-bent on getting everyone in the borough on a bicycle?

Do they actually believe that people are going to get on their bike when it’s pouring down with rain or it’s freezing cold, or wait for a bus that may or may not arrive?

How many councillors do we see cycling to work?

No doubt they all have a good excuse for not getting on their bikes.

Or is it a case of ‘Do as we say not as we do’.

I seem to remember when the town hall car park was closed the councillors were whining about having to walk a few extra yards to the Nicholsons car park.

As for Councillor Gerry Clark’s comment ‘It’s unacceptable that we’re being criticised for trying to improve travel and amenity – we should be supported’ – when you come up with something sensible you’ll be supported.

He also described the concern over fines as a ‘scurrilous rumour’.

“It’s absolute rubbish – a complete fabrication designed to put fear into residents’ hear ts.”

I remember being told that parking permits were going to be free forever.

Sorry Councillor Clark no one believes it. This is the latest idiotic idea to come from the council to add to their other rubbish road planning disasters.

In one year we have seen the introduction of a cycling scheme that few cyclists use, ghastly plastic barriers littered over the town supposedly to aid social distancing, yellow lines outside Exlers Garage which were put down without any consultation and which apparently will now have to be removed.

More of our money wasted.

The ‘essential roadworks’ on the Cookham Road which weren’t essential.

Now when you exit the Sainbury’s roundabout on to the Cookham Road you are confronted by over a metre of kerb sticking out into the road without any warning .

Six million pounds being spent on improving roundabouts that don't need improving.

I would be surprised if our road planners could plan a route out their own back yard.

If ever we needed evidence that our council and our road planners are not fit for purpose Maidenhead road network is it. KEITH CHAPMAN Cornwall Close

Maidenhead