MR R J Wilcock's remarks (Letters, November 11) are yet another sensible criticism of the currently in-vogue rash of traffic management schemes ('calming' is incorrect - no one becomes calm on these roads. but stressed - yes).

Unfortunately, it will fall on deaf ears. His name though will go down in Hyndburn Council leader George Slynn's little black book, to be described as a person who was 'indulging in teenage fantasies,' 'boy racer tearing up the road.' or 'least intelligent of lifeforms.'

This is how George responded to previous informed critics of these schemes and others are awaiting an apology for his abuse, but I'm not holding my breath. Regarding the standard of police driving, at least the vehicles are roadworthy and insured. The drivers have undergone additional tuition to a far higher standard than Mr Wilcock's pupils. They then have to pass tests to drive each different type of vehicle - something similar to what Mr Wilcock was inferring might be a good thing.

But the example he should have used was the hooligan driving of Blackburn's private hire vehicles.

We all have our horror stories of their abysmal standards - both drivers and vehicles. But, of course, these standards are brought to us by the very people who are arranging traffic management schemes - the local council which regulates, polices and licenses private hire vehicles.

J DUCKWORTH, Bostons, Great Harwood.

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