'ACTION to Protect Dartmoor' complains (Letters, March 25) that Dartmoor National Park Authority is doing nothing to curb the influx of cars and the saturation of the perimeter road at Burrator.

Quite right. Three years ago the old park committee brought forward a plan for an experimental traffic restraint programme including pedestrianisation of much of the perimeter road at peak times, and improved access by public transport, all paid for from government grants without cost to the council taxpayer.

Unfortunately, they tacked onto it a fatuous South West Water scheme for turning Burrator Lodge into an ice cream parlour (which they would later have had to turn down for planning permission, as I pointed out to them at the time!) Dr Strelling and his friends exploited the general hatred of South West Water (and who doesn't hate that greedy monopoly created by Thatcher and Co?) and the cowardice of the county authorities, to torpedo the scheme. Odd, now the money has been spent where it is welcome Dr Strelling is upset at the lack of action.

We should be looking for sensible solutions to the real problem of Burrator Lodge, whose increasing repair bill is being paid for in exorbitant water charges.

I persuaded the National Park Authority at its last meeting to reprieve the green corrugated iron shed, not because I think that ugly and inappropriate monument to the commercialisation of Burrator by Plymouth should be preserved, but because we should keep all options open until we can see a comprehensive solution.

I have been seeking, with support from the National Park, an appropriate public use for Burrator Lodge, such as a field studies centre and or interpretation centre to increase understanding of the beauties which Dr Strelling rightly celebrates.

When 'Action to Protect Dartmoor' writes me letters I invite them to join in this endeavour, but don't get a reply. It seems that they value a grievance more than a solution.

Nicholas Waterhouse

West Devon Borough

Council for Burrator

Member of Dartmoor National Park

(writing in a

personal capacity)