LETTER writers Chilvers, Sallows and Diggens each propose hugely expensive flyovers and extra road capacity, even though the current jams are proof that “predict and provide” is pointless and extremely poor value.

“Solving” North Station will simply encourage a greater number of people to drive, creating higher levels of traffic at the Westway roundabout, Cowdray Avenue and other pinch-points, and triggering yet another round of “chase my tailpipe”.

The dualled A120 and wider A12 will also create more journeys (cars don’t disappear in a puff of fairy dust the moment they leave the trunk road).

These “improvements” will lead to as much extra congestion as all the house-building currently planned for our town.

It is time instead to put in place alternatives that work.

We need high-quality infrastructure for buses, bikes and people on foot to enable fast, smooth, pleasant, reliable and safe journeys, which are impossible at present.

Forget trams. They are hugely expensive and have few advantages over buses; cable cars are a non-starter too.

If people don’t go over to the alternatives willingly, we may then have to look at car restraint.

More than 60 per cent of car journeys are five miles or less - distances that for most people are walkable, cycleable - especially with load-carrying and/or electric bikes, or busable.

These are the trips that by and large clog up the town and strangle our businesses.

Options for restraint would include socially equitable peak-time or full road closures or one-way systems (to make short car trips less convenient) and/or a daily motoring charge to replace the annual car tax, with those who drive every day paying more than those who drive two or three times a month.

We need only a very small fall in the level of car traffic to allow far easier journeys and a more cohesive town. Witness trips this week with the schools out, and children (and parents) on holiday.

Happily, Essex County Council is at last realising the limitations of providing for an unlimited number of cars and is, I believe, coming round to a more radical view.

Good luck to the politicians and officers who will be pushing this through.

Changing a culture that has developed unopposed for 90 years won’t be easy but, given the issues highlighted by hospital doctor Paul Byrne in his letter, should have everyone’s support.

Will Bramhill Mile End Road, Colchester

  • Little consideration given to community

For the second time in a number of weeks there is a three-way traffic signal in place at the entrance to our housing development, Summers Place, which is seriously disrupting traffic using Cox’s Hill, especially at peak periods.

On Monday and Tuesday, I was caught in long delays stretching back onto the roundabout (at about 5.30pm on both days) at the bottom of the hill, which is already a serious problem when the barrier is down.

I travelled up the hill at around noon today, yet again caught in long travel delays but at least expecting to see workers busy working in the hole, but alas not a worker in sight.

I fully appreciate construction requires additional services to be constructed etc; but in view of the level of disruption caused, I would expect everything to be done to limit the level of disruption to an absolute minimum.

A couple of ideas spring to mind - work extended hours to get the job done quicker or have manual operation of the lights as the queues in the evening, which always appear longer for those going up the hill than those going down.

The latter idea would also help alleviate the traffic problems being created on the roundabout.

I would welcome your comments, but practical action would be better.

Very little concern is being shown for the community or thousands of drivers who use the road daily.

Howard Cooper Gainsborough Drive, Lawford Dale

  • Be honest about cause of cutbacks

It’s county council election time and parties are delivering their thoughts and promises to us.

We expect each party to promote its particular interests but I was bemused by a leaflet-cum-newsletter that we received in Drury.

The Conservative message is that borough council changes in waste collection and a projected small increase in council tax mean: “We will pay more for our council’s indecision and inefficiency”.

In saying this they demonstrate a total lack of understanding that councils throughout the country are being forced to make what the Tory government call “difficult decisions”, owing to the 40 per cent cut in central government funding to those councils, cuts which are set to be even greater in the next three years.

Because of these cuts in the general fund, councils have had to make choices between such things as enhanced leisure facilities, parks and aspects of refuse collection.

Thus our collections, by necessity, have been reduced, but thankfully still exist and we will have to buy our own black bags.

A positive result of the latter may be that we are motivated to cut down on potential waste.

Moreover, on the subject of wheelie bins, the Conservatives demonstrate a lack of knowledge of what has been going on in their own borough.

They declare that wheelie bins are being introduced in parts of Colchester “by stealth” whereas the opposite is the case and they are being introduced in those parts where consultation resulted in a majority being in favour of them.

Surely it is the duty of our local representatives to know these things and not to exist in their own little bubble of privilege and ignorance and fake news?

Elizabeth Curry Beaconsfield Avenue, Colchester

  • Council’s apathy on Martello tower

In reply to Trudie Fernley’s letter I have been in communication with Tendring Council for three years in respect of turning the Martello Tower into a museum.

The council blocks us at every turn, even though we have the backing of historical groups, numerous volunteers wanting to help and 1,500 signatures collected of residents wanting to see the tower put to good use.

The council seems to have its own agenda about letting the tower decay.

Dave Bye Clacton

  • Great to learn about Islam

What a heartwarming article about the faith of Mr Goni.

As you say in your Comment, it’s a fantastic idea for people to discover more about Islam.

I spent quite a lot of time a few years ago in Saudi Arabia and was welcomed into all their holy places and what a joy it was.

As Mr Goni will confirm, I was welcomed into Mecca to join in with their celebrations with them.

More westerners should make the effort to visit Mecca to view the Christian churches that flourish alongside the mosques in a truly multicultural paradise.

It’s wonderful when we can all come together regardless of our beliefs as brothers and sisters of the world.

John Birch Colchester Road West Bergholt

  • Delight at A-boards ban

I AM glad somebody from our council is trying to do something about these A-boards obstructing pedestrians’ right of way.

In your paper (April 6) shop owner Mark Larner calls for a compromise.

Some while back my wife broke her ankle and was wheelchair bound. I was pushing her up Short Wyre Street and was confronted by these obstructions.

When I reached Mr Larner’s shop I could not get past and had to bump down the path onto the road at much discomfort to my wife.

So the quicker they get rid of these A-board obstructions the better.

David Cole Prettygate, Colchester