I REFER to Prestwood High Street and the Wycombe Road route, A4128.

Following considerable delays, consultants were commissioned by Buckinghamshire County Council in May 2004 to develop a route strategy for the above main roadway between High Wycombe and Great Missenden which, of course, includes the section through Prestwood.

From the consultants' draft report, now available, their study has shown, not surprisingly, that physical changes are essential to improve safety and reduce the environmental impact of increasing traffic volumes and speeds, and it has acknowledged that the A4128 is not suitable for through traffic.

Although, at great cost, by-passes were constructed to reduce traffic flow through, for example, Great Missenden, Wendover and Old Amersham, the consultants have chosen to take the opposite view for Prestwood by making recommendations that will inevitably result in an even greater flow of traffic through Prestwood High Street/Wycombe Road.

This will be achieved by prohibiting all mechanically propelled vehicles from using the Green Lane through route between the hours of 7am and 10pm except for access, and physical impediments will be provided to make the use of this public roadway more difficult, with the object of enforcing more traffic through the already hazardous residential and shopping village centre, with its unfortunate record of accidents, injuries and fatalities.

No doubt the vast majority of your Prestwood readers will not be aware of this retrograde proposal. If it causes concern, their views should be made known, whilst there is still an opportunity, to their community representatives at all levels, Bucks County Council, and anyone of responsibility who is prepared to listen and encourage common sense to prevail.

James G Boyle, Prestwood