Cut speed . . . and pollution

I’m pleased to see that Prime minister Theresa May has pledged to protect diesel car owners, but I’d much more prefer she pledged to protect cyclists.

I inherited a diesel car from my late father, and on pension credits (age68), it will likely serve me until I must give up driving.

However, because I hate polluting the air and contributing to global warming, and my money is better spent on a healthy diet, gas and electric, I’d much prefer to use my bicycle.

Because I’ve cycled since childhood, (I dreamed of winning the Tour de France), and cycled extensively to work, toured, raced and for charity, suffice to say I consider myself to be a ‘human dynamo’, and practice yoga by way of maintenance.

Give me favourable roads and fair weather and I’ll average 20mph ‘all day long’, and at times, I’m well capable of riding at 30mph.

If Britain is as civilised as it claims to be,

I and every other ‘human dynamo’, should not be overtaken by motor vehicles when riding at 20mph in 20mph zones, especially not by buses, bin-lorries, and gas-guzzling SUVs. People who walk or run to work should also be entitled to fair, safe and pleasant ‘working’ conditions.

For Britain to compete successfully in a global market, it can’t afford to have the worst-congested roads in Europe, and more than 100 cyclists a year being killed by ‘driver error’.

Given Britain’s lead in technology, there should be no excuse for not using speed restrictors for motor vehicles to reduce pollution and CO2 and create a wholly united human race.

Allan Ramsay, via email

Don’t forget Nato’s role

IN his wide ranging letter Robert Stevens repeats the old chestnut that the EU has kept the peace in Europe for the last 50 years.

In fact as any examination of the facts shows it is NATO backed by the might of the USA which has ensured the peace.

It may well be, of course, that the involvement of our American friends is why so many wish to deny this for them inconvenient truth.

I was, when I served in BAOR, a member of NATO, not a European force, as were countless others of our citizens who served as I did.

For the record, NATO was formed in 1948 and always had more members than the EU with a far wider base than just Europe, including as it does Canada and Turkey, to name two.

It is also worth noting that all the Eastern European countries who escaped from Soviet control wanted to join NATO as well as the EU.

Perhaps they know something all the critics in this country don’t.

Keith Woodland, via email

Pay tribute at battlefield

THIS year marks the Centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele

in Belgium.

The British Army suffered over 300,000 casualties in what became

known as the ‘Battle of the Mud’. Many were from the North of England.

Between Sunday, June 25 and Friday, June 30, 2017 I will be leading a coach party from the north of England to visit the battlefield and to see the special exhibitions and events being held to mark the Centenary in

Flanders.

There will be an opportunity to visit a relative’s grave or

monument by arrangement.

If any readers would like more details I can be contacted by phone on

01368 866826, mobile 07710 270640, or by email at johndavidraw@:gmail.com

They can also write to me at the address below.

David Raw,

The Stable,

Kirkland Road,

Skirwith, Penrith, Cumbria

CA10 1RL