I AM writing in reply to your correspondent Mr John Taylor (October 7) who I feel has very unfairly criticised Cllr Roy Connelly, one of Tavistock?s most diligent and conscientious councillors.
The traffic problems Mr Taylor mentions are not such clear cut issues as he maintains. The car parking charges were voted through by a Conservative and Independent controlled council, probably because they were seen as a more acceptable way of raising revenue than a larger council tax increase.
The Whitchurch rural gateway was brought in to slow traffic down and stop cars speeding through Whitchurch village for the safety of the resident pedestrians. Since motorists seem to object to it so much, no doubt they do have to slow down and it achieves its aims.
Finally, I doubt if residents or visitors would see Bedford Square as being anything other than a great improvement over the previously unsafe mixture of cars and pedestrians. It has now been replaced by a pleasant open space which can be used for events and markets which no doubt aid tourism in the town.
The increased congestion is more due to the fact that people will use their cars much more than they need to even for very short journeys.
Mrs M Donkin
9 Chestnut Close
Bishopsmead