IN response to Mr Donkin (Times, May 4) I have the following comments. Firstly, in my view, the gateway has created more danger for all users and, the group facing the greatest dangers, are, as is so often the case in such matters, the cyclists.

Sections of the single track are only wide enough for one motorised vehicle so, who has precedence, the vehicle or cyclists?

Secondly, speed limits can be enforced and it does not need an army of speed cameras — random speed checks with hefty, possibly on-the-spot fines is one method and in my experience it does work.

Thirdly, I accept that it is unwise to assume that funding comes entirely from the public purse but such matters need to be put into perspective.

Sustrans is basically funded by £43.5-million of millennium money, and that is public money. It also received £1-million from the cycle industry and cycle dealers.

It is highly commendable that cyclists also give financial support, but, I suspect it is a very small proportion of the total.

So, I maintain my basic view that Sustrans relies heavily on public money supplemented by financial aid from local authorities, which is also public money.

Finally, I wish to make it clear that I support the aims and ambitions of Sustrans but their projects must have safety as the first priority and, unfortunately, this is definitely not the case with this gateway. Hopefully some action will be taken before there is an accident.

Brian Willis

Grenofen

THANKS to your correspondents over the last few weeks protesting about the rural gateway. When is something going to be done about it? It must be removed. It is dangerous.

The Highways Department must not be allowed to say that they no longer have the money or are not willing to reverse it. There must be a way by which the general public can override the planners and perpetrators (DCC Highways) of this horror.

Since the Plymouth Road is gridlocked for most of the day, (and it is not yet the holiday season) the traffic is taking every opportunity to use the Whitchurch Road. This was pointed out to the planners of the enhanced square at consultation meetings and we were told that it was not in their remit!

I hope that all those who were for the square enhancement will get down on hands and knees and scrape up those little black round discs on the granite. They are of course peoples discarded gum!

Really Tavistock, wake up to what is happening to your town. It's your money!

Ian Kilpatrick

209 Whitchurch Road

Tavistock