Fitzjohn's Avenue traffic calming plan is labelled preposterous

WHATEVER the claims for his preposterous plan (H&H February 28), Farokh Khorooshi seems to be in the firm grip of two strident lobbies – the 4x4 school run and the bikers (frustrated at being denied free run of the Heath). There is no more traffic hell

WHATEVER the claims for his preposterous plan (H&H February 28), Farokh Khorooshi seems to be in the firm grip of two strident lobbies - the 4x4 school run and the bikers (frustrated at being denied free run of the Heath).

There is no more 'traffic hell' in NW3 than in other parts of central London, but FK's proposal to increase parking spaces will certainly increase both car use and pollution. However, it does of course meet the demands of a school run designed to keep parents and children uncontaminated by public transport.

The great assets of Fitzjohn's Avenue are wide pavements and well-grown plane trees. Mr Farooshi has his sights on both. The pavements are to be hacked back to allow for a concrete bike channel to run parallel to a narrow pedestrian strip. For this, he plans a total 3.8m width (without allowance for his 'tactile barrier'), which means that wherever existing pavements are less than 4m wide the trees will have to be demolished.

The proposal is obviously dangerous for pedestrians, wholly impractical and an aesthetic and ecological disaster.

Last, speed cameras, not chicanes and flashing signs, are the answer to racing traffic - but among the worst offenders are the police.

A snappier response to the Farooshi oeuvre might be (quoting an earlier, agonized John McEnroe) 'Man - you cannot be serious!'

RENATE PRINCE

MARTIN BIRNSTINGL

Fitzjohn's Avenue, NW3