Not effective

SIR, — Regarding my letter (Herts Advertiser, July 10) on the police speed trap in Marford Road, Wheathampstead, I expected, and indeed wanted, responses from your readers and I also thought there would be some from the hang-them-and-flog-them brigade.

SIR, - Regarding my letter (Herts Advertiser, July 10) on the police speed trap in Marford Road, Wheathampstead, I expected, and indeed wanted, responses from your readers and I also thought there would be some from the "hang-them-and-flog-them" brigade. I was not disappointed.

I infer from their letters attacking me that for some bizarre reason two people think I am recommending breaking the law and justifying motorists going over a speed limit which is a ridiculous and unwarranted assumption on their part.

Whether Messrs Nevell and Smith (Herts Advertiser, July 17), like it or not, random police radar/laser speed traps will not stop motorists speeding. On the day in question the police caught five offenders during their two-hour visit to Marford Road which to me proves their presence did nothing to alleviate the speeding problem. Sadly Mr Nevell and Mr Smith cannot comprehend that fact.

As I said in my previous letter, if there were prominent warning signs along Marford Road before the speed-trap area, then this may deter some potential speeders. But again Mr Nevell and Mr Smith have not grasped this simple solution. It is as if they want motorists to break the law. They would rather fine and criminalise motorists than eradicate the problem altogether. Apart from vilifying me they contribute little, or nothing, to the debate on how to stop speeding along Marford Road which I assumed is what most residents wanted.

If they truly wish to see an improvement in the reduction of the volume of speeding motorists, then they should support Cllr Judy Shardlow who is lately on record as saying: "What we really need is Herts Highways to install traffic-calming measures in Marford Road and Brewhouse Hill, including verge gates and road markings, illuminated signs reminding drivers of the 30mph limit". This is, in effect, more or less what I said in my opening letter. Personally I would also campaign for road humps and chicanes being introduced so that speeding just could not happen.

HOWARD PALMER,

Kingfisher Close, Wheathampstead.