COULD you please print this letter and may it be a strong reminder to all drivers that, whilst country footpaths are closed due to the very sad situation with foot and mouth, more people are walking on the roads/lanes.

I feel as a local councillor and also a person who enjoys walking with my dog, that my thoughts are as follows, please slow down when on the country lanes, especially as people are trying to use them to walk on, some drivers are just so dangerous and literally put fear into people/children from actually taking a walk.

Just try and think, it may be a member of your family just around the corner and can you stop? People have nowhere to go, all they do is walk and pray.

The lanes are used by horse-riders who get all sorts of abuse shouted at them, there are also cyclists, who have to keep an eye on the road conditions because of all the pot-holes and finally pedestrians who take their lives in their hands.

We have drivers overtaking rather than just waiting probably 30 seconds to see if the lane is clear but 'no' they take a chance, you can do that when you have a ton of sheet metal around you, but the pedestrians have nothing.

Please think about it, then we can all enjoy our countryside in safety.

Cllr Maureen Campbell

Englesea Ward