SIR, — Lynn Myland and her campaign team are to be congratulated on raising the profile of the serious antisocial behaviours experienced along Barley Mow Lane (Herts Advertiser, July 24). But I am not convinced that closing the road is the answer, nor is

SIR, - Lynn Myland and her campaign team are to be congratulated on raising the profile of the serious antisocial behaviours experienced along Barley Mow Lane (Herts Advertiser, July 24). But I am not convinced that closing the road is the answer, nor is this proposal, which would inconvenience many law-abiding users, supported by the whole community.

I have lived in Tyttenhanger Green for 20 years and like everyone who lives here, am only too aware of the regular incidences of speeding, aggression, vandalism and flytipping that occur in this area. My own car still bears the scars of a run-in with an angry young man on a pony "trotter".

However these are all enforcement issues, not highways matters. Closing the road does not address the root of these problems - it merely diverts them. For example, one effect will be to force more speeding vehicles onto Colney Heath Lane where there are already safety issues with vehicles driving too fast past Nicholas Breakspear School. I would also expect to see an increase in vehicular traffic using the Hixberry Lane bridleway as a short-cut, posing a danger to the walkers, cyclists and horse riders who use this popular route.

Colney Heath Parish Council has worked with the Police and Herts County Council's Gipsy Section over the years on the anti-social behaviour with some success, but our resources are limited. I am glad that our MP Anne Main is now taking this issue seriously, and has experienced at first hand the anger and frustration felt by residents over these ongoing problems. I urge her to use her office to put pressure on Herts Police and her Conservative colleagues in County Hall to redouble their efforts to protect residents.

Closing the road might seem an easy option but in my opinion would represent the failure of these authorities to properly protect the quality of residents' lives through effective enforcement, a service for which we all pay our council tax. However, I support Cllr Chris Brazier in calling for a full and independent consultation of all residents who are affected by this proposal before deciding a way forward.

JAMIE DAY,

District and Parish Councillor, Colney Heath Ward.