Having walked and driven in Woodingdean for more years than I care to admit to, I have found the courtesy of its road users second to none.

Therefore, I do not accept the need for somewhere in the region of 100 pairs of speed cushions proposed for our village by the Principal Traffic Engineer, nor the elimination of an already very limited parking facility alongside Cowley Drive shops.

Most of the roads in this village, even the main arteries, are less than three car-widths across and, with parked vehicles narrowing the roadways day and night, progress is almost always slowed by vehicles giving way to those coming in the opposite direction.

In this situation I really cannot believe the average speeds quoted. On all but a couple of the village's roads, these averages were stated to be in excess of 30mph, with many nearly 40mph, over a 12-hour period.

While the odd vehicle may reach these speeds, I find it difficult to believe that most do. Did anyone see these timings being carried out?

The proposal is said to be based on a survey from July 1, 1999, to July 31, 2004, during which two fatalities and five serious accidents occuredBoth fatalities and two of the accidents were in Cowley Drive, the others in Ravenswood Drive, Crescent Drive South and Balsdean Road.

Clearly Cowley Drive needs to be a focus of attention but without details of the circumstances of these accidents, specific comment is not possible. Not one of these accidents was in the most congested area, near the shops and bus stops.

The Cowley Drive shops actually need more parking spaces, although a 30-minute rather than two-hour limit might be more appropriate.

Removal of the parking stretch altogether could be the last straw for this parade and rob the area of a valuable facility.

Comments on the proposals must be made to Hove Town Hall by November 1.

-Brian Cheshire, Woodingdean