15/2/2007
Letters
There is no real alternative to this vital link roadIn recent months there has been a succession of outbursts in your paper, some bounding on the hysterical, concerning the traffic in Cricket Hill Lane, Yateley.
Traffic is very heavy at times, there is no argument about that, and there are occasional heavy lorries. There is, however, a very good reason for this.
Cricket Hill Lane is, and has been for many years, a vital artery for traffic linking Yateley, Sandhurst, Crowthorne and even Wokingham with the westbound A30, westbound M3, Farnborough and Fleet. There is no practicable alternative to this direct route.
It is all very well to scream for a curtailment of the traffic, but where can it go? Why does nobody suggest a viable alternative? The other possible routes are via narrow country lanes or over-congested roads, which require a considerable detour before you can get to them and their traffic jams.
Attempts to limit speeds are one thing, but drastic measures to stop traffic using Cricket Hill Lane will merely force the vehicles to find their way through roads and streets which are much more unsuitable.
If the safety of the people wishing to cross the road is of concern, why not put in a proper controlled crossing, or even several? This would both deter excessive speed and give safety to pedestrians.
A further way to reduce speeding, and help towards motorists’ safety, would be to put roundabouts at the most dangerous junctions, eg Vigo Lane and Handford Lane. The Reading Road/Cricket Hill roundabout could be enlarged to include Potley Hill Road and thus avoid the current dangerous right turn across Cricket Hill.
AJF Hocking
Hall Farm Crescent
Yateley First printed in:
Aldershot News and Mail
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