IN your last issue you quote Barry Highfield, the new chairman of Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, as saying that the raised crossings across the square are not safe.
Whatever the legality of these crossings, my own experience, which involves crossing the square on one of these raised crossings most days of the week, is quite the reverse.
What has happened with the changes in the town centre is that it is now 'pedestrian-friendly', those of us on the pavements can walk, or stop and talk or look in the shop windows easily.
So far as the raised crossings are concerned a tacit understanding between drivers and pedestrians has now developed with each party showing a blend of common sense and courtesy, the great majority of drivers now are aware of those waiting to crossover on a raised crossing and will stop.
Furthermore, if the main car park were to be used for dropping off visitors, rather than the square there would be no need for coaches to turn in the square. Visitors would then have a pleasant walk along by the river and a single controlled crossing to gain access to the centre of the town. The distance involved is not great and is far less that that necessary in many tourist towns elsewhere.
Denis Hutchings
Maisonette
40 Brook Street
Tavistock