RESIDENTS of Wyre Piddle have recently received a leaflet outlining traffic restrictions proposed for the village.

These proposals appear to be set in stone, when they are not. There is still the option to prevent all through traffic using Wyre Piddle as a convenience, provided action is taken quickly.

One of the statements in the leaflet refers to a significant minority who would wish to close the road at the eastern end of the village 'only allowing through movement for pedestrians and pedal cyclists'. This option 'would affect bus services and emergency service vehicles'.

This statement is misleading. Bus services and emergency services would continue as before, using one road in, and the same road out, of the village.

It could, in fact, be argued that a single road from the by-pass would improve access to the village by the emergency services. Ambulances and fire crews would travel at high speed along the by-pass. And then down the road into Wyre Piddle, unimpeded by through traffic. If the proposed traffic calming measures are introduced, ambulances and fire engines would be obstructed by through traffic travelling at a maximum 20 miles an hour, trying to thread its way through a series of chicanes on a narrowed road, and further held up by traffic lights on a bridge.

No doubt the police would welcome access to the village by one road in, and the same road out. Should there be a criminal act in the village, police would have just one road to block. Imagine the village, if the planners have their way:

1 'Gateways or terminals (whatever they are) to all entrances to the village, describing the 20mph zone'. These would be brightly lit, and no doubt accompanied by yards of red tarmac.

2 'A series of chicanes in Worcester Road and Main Road to restrict speeds through Wyre Piddle to about 20mph or less'. About 20mph? - it either is 20mph, or it is not. Again, very brightly lit signposts and kerbs to warn through traffic not familiar with the village.

3 'Reducing the width of the road'. Further chaos, and no doubt more red tarmac marking a hardly used cycle track.

4 'Traffic lights at a narrowed bridge' - leading to a build-up of stationary traffic trying to get through the village.

Bright signs, bright lights, traffic lights, narrowed roads, narrowed bridges, chicanes, cycle tracks, parking restrictions, yellow lines, red tarmac, hardly a recipe for rural tranquillity, and all could be avoided if the original plan were adhered to. The original plan, one should remember, was the one used to persuade the Government to release the money. All the subsequent ideas have been dreamt up by the county council.

The by-pass as originally planned would take all traffic from Wyre Piddle, allowing one road access for buses, emergency services, residents, and those who wish to visit the village, rather than drive through it on their way somewhere else.

If you do not agree with the council's proposals, vote against and ask for an access road from the by-pass - as simple as that. If you have already returned a form agreeing to the proposal - based on the misleading information in the leaflet - new forms can be obtained from the village hall exhibition on January 23.

M J WARMAN, Church Street, Wyre Piddle.