Objections raised against pedestrian path plan for Heath

YOU have already run an item on objections to the City of London Corporation s proposal to reroute the pedestrian path which now runs from Gordon House Road up to the tea rooms and Heath office, and put in its place a vehicle only 3.5 metre wide road, i

YOU have already run an item on objections to the City of London Corporation's proposal to reroute the pedestrian path which now runs from Gordon House Road up to the tea rooms and Heath office, and put in its place a 'vehicle only' 3.5 metre wide road, intended for lorries servicing building works.

Although strong opposition to such a road continues to gather, little has been said about whether many of these works and the expenditure they involve are either of benefit or are appropriate at a time when reductions in public spending are sorely needed.

Perhaps it is useful to City of London personnel to build offices for themselves, but it does not seem to serve the needs of the public to demolish the much-loved existing tea rooms and re-site them beside these offices and the information centre.

Whereas 'enhanced play facilities' for older children must be a good idea, plans to build a winding route in place of the path beside the railway (much used as a traffic-free short-cut to Pond Street and Belsize Park) and relocate the One O'clock Club beside the playground, serve no comprehensible purpose.

No-one would argue with refurbishing the Lido - especially the changing rooms - but to run a service road in immediate proximity to this outdoor leisure facility outweighs any benefits.

Walkers would obviously welcome a dedicated cycle route, but young cyclists obliged to share the new road with large vehicles over quite some distance would be unable to reach the route safely.

Details of many of these building schemes have not been adequately explained to those who live in and use this area.

MAVIS HUNT

Lissenden Gardens, NW5