WITH reference to Ian Kilpatrick's letter in last week's Times, I do agree that he has a very valid point about the completely useless rural gateway along the Whitchurch Road.

However, I must strongly disagree that the problem ends at the Whitchurch crossroads! Living on the 'old road' to Grenofen, as I do, there is a very real danger to residents, especially pedestrians, because of speeding traffic.

On several occasions I have been forced to jump into a neighbour's gateway to avoid serious injury as cars travelling in opposite directions both refuse to give way.

Because there is no footpath, this stretch of road has become a 'rat-run', especially at commuting times.

There have been complaints about residents' cars parked along the road — but if it were not for these, there would be nothing to slow through-traffic.

Incidentally, may I also remind the powers-that-be that there is also a school at this end of the village: the Montessori school in the hall adjoining the Methodist Chapel.

We need drastic measures along the Whitchurch Road and we need them now — before someone is killed.

Mrs Lorraine Turner

244 Whitchurch Road

Tavistock

MONDAY July 10 was my youngest son's birthday. We enjoyed the usual fun and games. Saw the film 'Chicken Run' (great film) followed by the obligatory 'Big Mac'. Arrived home around 9pm to discover my recently refurbished and repainted front gate and granite post had been demolished by a young chap in a nice BMW. I'm told that no other cars were involved.

Looking at the amount of rubber on the road and the extent of the damage to the car and my property it is not difficult to imagine the car travelling faster than the speed limit.

Tuesday July 11 7.20am: on my bike to work as usual. Just past the bus stop near the Post Office, flashing lights, police cars, traffic stopped.

As I cycle past, one car is up on the pavement, lots of dents. The other car is on its side in the front garden of a house on my right. Yet again it is not difficult to see that excessive speed must be a contributory factor. Luckily no one was hurt.

Who knows what is in store for us just around the corner on the Whitchurch Road. Particularly if something is not done soon to dissuade some main road traffic from speeding through a residential area.

Cars can easily be repaired, an insurance company will probably pay for the repairs to my property. Sooner or later there will be human damage to repair. What can we do to try to reduce the chances of this awful event?

Ian Brooks

Whitchurch Road

Tavistock