IN RESPONSE to Katy Rodda’s letter of February 23, I’m afraid she is incorrect on several points.

I note that she does not give her address, so I assume she does not live in Queen's Park Rise as I do, although she says she is one of the wardens who tell us what we may and may not do in our own street.

She is wrong in claiming the wardens wear masks unless they have started doing so recently. I spoke to the people “supervising” us at the lower end of the Rise on two occasions. None wore masks. In fact, the man who was not a volunteer but an employee, refused to do so.

Katy is also wrong in saying residents have been consulted. The first phase of this scheme was introduced with no consultation or even warning. And now, the second phase is a fait accompli as the road has now been permanently blocked. Yes, we can complain but with expensive and permanent structures, it will surely be “too expensive” to remove them.

It’s interesting that she compares our previously pollution-free street with “fresh air locations” as pollution was supposed to be one reason for these changes. Well, there’s pollution here now! Large diesel vehicles, mostly servicing the school, now have to reverse at the end of the street and do a double journey. You can smell the fumes already.

She misinterprets Dr Woolhouse’s statement to the House. He went on to say that social distancing was essential to stop the virus spread. A local consultant respiratory physician and Covid lead has commented to me that following Covid rules is the key reason why rates here are now falling. These rules are not being followed in Queen's Park Rise when the school is open.

It is not true that there are frequent near misses in our street. But if this is a perceived problem then stop the parents parking outside at school times. They shouldn’t anyway! It’s a pay parking area. Get a traffic warden and lollipop lady (or gent) to sort it.

Lastly is Katy's rather insulting suggestion that I have missed the fact that children need to play. Of course they do. There are two excellent playgrounds in the school and a large park five minutes' walk away. The school does not need an extra annexe. The "new improved regime" introduces pollution, both from fumes and from Covid, and has a deleterious effect on the lives of those who live in the street and who will be (illegally) expected to show proof of residency to the likes of Katy.

I fear our experience is the thin edge of a rather sinister wedge.

Liz Robinson

Queen's Park Rise

Brighton