JEFFREY Stackhouse is entirely correct to point out the error in creating the 'Grenofen Gateway' bottleneck all those years ago (Letters, March 7).

Intended as a safety feature following a fatal accident at Ash Mill, it has meant little improvement for cyclists or pedestrians, but has proven to be an effective, but unnecessary, impediment to the flow of traffic. This is especially the case when the A386 is closed because of accidents as it was on two occasions in the same week recently. In such cases there is no practical alternative but to use the back road and, of course, that includes emergency vehicles. So why continue with the road block when it is such a problem?

The solution is simple. Encourage cyclists and pedestrians away from the Whitchurch Road by completing the link to the Drake's Trail at Grenofen. Then the 'gateway' could be removed and the road reinstated to double track as it was previously whilst retaining the current speed limit. Come on, councillors, you know it makes sense.

Bob Jones

Grenofen