IT was refreshing to read the letter from Alison Pickford (Postbag, May 25) applauding the skills of the young skate boarders instead of moaning about them.

I too have felt nothing but admiration when watching them, and I haven't seen them crash into anybody yet.

While it may not be the best idea to encourage children to skateboard on roads, I do agree that roads are for pedestrians as well as motorists.

Motorists used to have to watch out for pedestrians, but sadly it seems to be the other way round today.

Is pedestrian awareness part of the driving test? If not I feel it should be.

I have recently returned from China where the roads are so crowded with pedestrians and cyclists that motorists have to watch out for them and drive slowly. I was assured that there are few accidents and I saw no signs of any.

It might be the same in this country if motorists would accept they are not the kings of the road who have a right to go straight to their destination with no hindrance.

Note the furore over the new traffic lights at Link Top when some motorists wrote angry letters to the press complaining about having their journeys slowed down, by all of half a minute perhaps, while they sat in their comfortable cars waiting for the lights to change. I was pleased to see the local county councillor Jeremy Webb explain the decision by the council to put lights there was based on making it safer for pedestrians.

Some motorists appear to have tunnel vision when they come up to pedestrian crossings in town and I often feel like carrying a flag and waving it at them to make them look to the side occasionally when they are driving.

Our roads are for everyone, not just motorists, so please slow down in town all you people in cars, and yes I do drive so I include myself as well. Leave home a few minutes earlier if you are in such a hurry.

Mrs G M Holt, Bank Street, Malvern.