THOUGH I failed in my attempt to persuade the highways committee to delay the implementation of the 20mph speed restriction in the Fishpool area, I would like to explain why I objected to what is, on the face of it, a "traffic calming" measure.

Because of the concerns of some residents, the chief engineer commissioned a survey by Parkman Consulting Engineers. Part of their brief was to examine the problems of traffic flow in Wellington Road and Parkhills Road, with a recommendation to reduce the amount of heavy goods vehicles using the roads.

This report was received by the chief engineer just a week before the highways meeting and I expressed the opinion that the implementation of the 20mph order should be delayed until the report had been considered.

Considering the expense of installing the humps as a traffic calming measure, to then add a speed restriction was, in my view, admitting that the "humps" were not doing what they were intended to do. It was told that it had always been the intention to impose a 20mph limit in the area, though this was never in the original plans, nor was it ever mentioned in any of the discussions I had with the highways management. It was only published after the concerns of the residents surfaced and is, in my opinion, just a means of placating people. If the 20mph limit is essential why does the order not include Wellington Road? Could it be that it is a back-door method of diverting traffic from Parkhills Road into Wellington Road?

I have spoken to residents in the Fishpool area, not just in Wellington Road, and their concern has always been the speed humps. They did not express any desire for a speed restriction. They also believe there is no point making an order unless it could be enforced and they and I are of the opinion that it cannot be.

When I raised this point with the chief engineer he said that the order would, and I quote his exact words, "be largely self-enforcing", which means that a majority of motorists will conform to a 20mph limit. Motorists, in my experience, do not recognise a 30mph regulation and I suggest that he tries to drive at 20mph.

For a decade prior to the traffic calming measures being introduced in Parkhills Road there had not been an accident involving a pedestrian on that section between Market Street and Manchester Road. But since they were put in place there have been four, two of which resulted in the school crossing attendants being injured. Yet no action has been taken to install school crossing warning lights for Fishpool Primary School.

Councillor Perkins, chairman of the highways committee, told us that he was in favour of more 20mph zones being implemented. As the chief engineer estimates the cost of "signing" the Fishpool scheme at £11,000, it would seem to me that the money would be better spent on improving the condition of pavements and roads in the borough than on speed restrictions that will largely be ignored.

A. WITHINGTON,

Wellington Road, Bury.