SIR- It was with interest that I read your article "'Slow Down' plea from horse rider to motorists" (Free Press July 21) and the comments of Anita Kennard there-in.

Speed of traffic in and around the village of Bicknoller and through to St Audries has been the subject of many a discussion at the Bicknoller Inn by local residents.

We have a problem in the village with fast moving traffic, roughly split into three groups - we have about one third who drive with due care and speed, one third who think they are but are not and lastly the really worrying third who drive in a reckless way that could at some time end in tragedy.

When we first moved into the village almost five years ago, there were no children old enough to play away from their homes.

Today as many as a dozen can be playing on their bikes (wearing their head protectors, because we parents care for our children's safety!)

That is why we must all look to our own driving ability when driving in or through any village.

We must also start campaigning for villages like Bicknoller to have some sort of traffic calming.

I don't mean speed bumps which are expensive, but some way to make drivers feel that they are driving in a zone for pedestrians, children playing, horse riders and people walking their dogs, and not on a road where all these groups of people should be on a pavement !

We must never forget that we all live in the heart of rural Britain, where horse riders, walkers, children at play and older folk who walk their dogs, should not be expected to give way to a culture of crude drivers who are unable to master an elementary understanding of the Highway Code.

Dead Slow - Alive Kids!

David Young,

The Bicknoller Inn,

Bicknoller.