I too attended the January 10 meeting where the designer of the Historic Core Zone made a very persuasive argument in favour of the scheme.

He gave many examples of such schemes and alluded to their success. I looked up just two he mentioned in order to find out more. In Portishead, yes they have got rid of traffic lights at the Cabstand junction, but zebra crossings have been reinstated due to public demand.

The same is true at Kimbrose triangle in Gloucester. Nearer home, B&NES reinstated the markings and zebra at Julian Road, in Bath. The Bradford on Avon poll has arisen over public disquiet at the loss of the zebra crossing on Market Street (the A363) if the HCZ is implemented. Sadly if we choose the whole schemex we will lose the zebra crossing, I urge members of the public who read this paper in time to come to the meeting on Thursday evening (January 22) in St Margaret’s Hall, 7pm, and ask their own questions. We have to know whether this scheme is of genuine merit before months of road works (and that’s just stage 1) deliver a killer blow to our shops.

The people of Bradford will have their say in the poll on February 5, and make their views clear. Sadly the traders, the visitors, and the under-18’s are not eligible to vote. The parish electorate must exercise judgement on their behalf too. Now is the time to ask questions.

Kate Nottage, Whitehill, Bradford on Avon.