As a retired lecturer, my advice to Jeannette Leigh (letters, November 16) would be to read what someone has to say before passing comment.

The proposed cycle track across Tooting Bec Common has, among other things, the aim of reducing the number of cars on our roads.

If we can encourage people to cycle rather than drive to work, this will have numerous benefits less pollution being the most obvious.

Now will a new shared cycle track cause inconvenience? Yes, of course it will. No one denies it.

Another reader, Derek Purcell, who is critical of the proposed route, writes from Dryburgh Road, Putney.

This road is closed to through traffic during the morning rush hour. This causes inconvenience to motorists, but for Derek Purcell and the residents it is a godsend.

It prevents their road being used as a cut through for part of the day. Good luck to them despite the inconvenience caused to motorists, the closure has beneficial effects.

Likewise, with Tooting Bec Common, the cycle route will cause some inconvenience. However, anyone who ventures onto common land needs to compromise that is what a common is all about.

Part of Tooting Common has been set aside for children, part of it for people to play tennis, part of it for athletics, etc. Those who don't have children, or don't partake in sport are excluded but we don't object.

My advice to opponents of the cycle track would be to think clearly about your position.

Do you want more pollution? Do you want more cars on our roads? Do you want to ban all minorities using the common?

If like me, your answer to all three questions is no then you too should be in favour of the proposed cycle track.

In either event, the public inquiry into the proposed route continues at Wandsworth Town Hall on Monday, November 26 at 9.30am

MIKE SQUIRES, Elmfield Road, Balham

November 23, 2001 12:01