MAY I add to your comments on the corrugated iron shed at the reservoir (Times, March 11). South West Water hopes to attract many more visitors, the figure of 1.2 million being quoted. This would seem to be greatly in excess of the current usage which I would estimate as not more than 300,000 visitors a year.

It seems to have been overlooked that there is a wide mix of people using the reservoir area over and above those out for a Sunday afternoon's enjoyment. One thinks of school minibuses from as far afield as Exeter or Taunton, military vehicles out for training purposes, children on an afternoon's nature study or map-reading exercise with their teachers as well as the usual quota of joggers, cyclists and a few horse-riders. There are charity events when the reservoir becomes quite busy.

There is a surprising amount of wildlife around which attracts bird-watchers. In addition to the woodland birds there are herons, tawny owls, buzzards and a variety or water-fowl — gulls, cormorants and the occasional great crested grebe. Common lizards sun themselves and there are adders.

There is clearly a delicate balance here which an influx of cars and visitors as envisaged by South West Water would destroy. My impression is that most people use the reservoir for a specific purpose, most often for walking in a tranquil, unspoiled environment. During some summer weekends the perimeter road, I feel, reaches saturation point. South West Water's plans would produce an impossible congestion.

Dartmoor National Park Authority recently received a grant of £250,000 to cut down on the vehicles travelling the moors and yet actively support South West Water's plans. Is Burrator not part of the moor?

Dr Keith Strelling

Action to Protect Dartmoor

Dousland