WITH regard to the replies of Philip Congdon, Coun Douglas Deakin, John Farrer and Granville Broadhurst (Letters, August 2 and 3), I had earlier asked what qualifications Adrian Shurmer of Great Harwood had to advise on traffic calming and, as yet, I am deafened by the silence.

It would appear that he has only the same as other mere mortals - an opinion, which if questioned, brings a stifling, bludgeoning and threatening reply from his minder at Hindle Fold, for, as has been shown to date, he is in favour of debate as long as it is what he wants to hear.

For the record, I am a professional driver of 22 years' standing, holding a Class 1 LGV, Class 1 PCV and other vocational licences and a certificate of professional competence in road transport. I cover an average of 2,000 miles per week and am very much a car lover.

I would respectfully suggest to Messrs Deakin, Farrer and Broadhurst, some of whose replies are completely irrelevant, a lesson in English comprehension. Then, they may be able to read and understand what I actually wrote and not what they would like to think I wrote.

I feel that I hit a very raw nerve with Mr Broadhurst when I used the term "idiot drivers." The simple fact is that traffic calming is for the benefit of pedestrians and, yes, society does make rules that are designed to curb the extremes of the minority.

I pose a further question to Phil Congdon: if Adrian Shurmer was the only democratically-elected councillor in Great Harwood, how have the other five got their seats? At least, I suspect, they actually stood in their true colours.

I would also warn the public of Great Harwood that if they want the Safeway store and the other improvements negotiated by George Slynn, then they must be on their guard and make sure the local Tories don't talk it out.

CHRIS REID, Lomax Street, Great Harwood.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.