WHEN the 'rural gateway' between Whitchurch and Grenofen was first proposed I was broadly supportive of the idea as the initial scheme was of low cost, had little environmental impact, provided some additional facilities for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders and hopefully would help alleviate traffic problems throughout Whitchurch Road.

I would like to believe that the scheme, combined with other works in Whitchurch Road, had been a success but find the recent report prepared by the highway engineers very unconvincing.

A 'significant' reduction in the rate of crashes causing injury in Whitchurch Road is claimed. Average data from a period of more than four years (1996-2000) prior to the engineering schemes are compared to data for little more than a year following the schemes.

Since there are typically only three to four injury accidents per year in Whitchurch Road, it is much too early to claim a 'significant' reduction in injuries.

This problem is accentuated since it is impossible from the report to establish how reliable is the vital 'per million vehicle miles' figure used in the calculations.

Worse still is the claim that traffic on Whitchurch Road has been reduced by 21%. The data from the report give two-way flow figures of 4,106 (Oct 1998), 3712 (March 1999), 3,451 (April 1999), 3,241 (Oct 2001, after completion of the engineering schemes), but only the October 1998 and 2001 data are used to assess the success of the engineering work.

Why are the March and April 1999 data ignored? They seem to show a strong trend of traffic reduction before the engineering work was completed. Were the October data confounded by Goosey Fair traffic? We don't know as no study dates are given.

The engineers do frankly admit that speeds past Whitchurch School have increased, typical speeds through the rural gateway are well in excess of the 30 mph limit, and more heavy goods vehicles use this stretch of road than before. I would be grateful if the engineers could explain why the present solutions are considered successful.

Peter Donkin

9 Chestnut Close

Bishopsmead, Tavistock