I WRITE with regard to the council to "make a point" that is, in the opinion of many Lydney residents, a serious risk to the safety of the pedestrian and road users in the town.

The "point" is that of the barricade imposed to block the exit from the car park to the rear of the library. The point being (as I was personally informed by council staff) to highlight that the Bream Road/High Street junction is unsuitable for the amount and type of traffic currently using it.

As a road user I agree that the junction is difficult to negotiate. However, by blocking an exit previously able to filter traffic away, the issue has become more significant with extra vehicles now forced to use the junction.

As a parent using the car park on a twice-daily basis I have become increasingly concerned about the dangers now forced into the car park by the barricade.

I acknowledge that there were people who used the car park as a cut-through (alleviating the problems they make a point about) but now everyone is fighting to get out of the car park into a fast stream of traffic on Bream Road.

One exit results in significantly more drivers reversing and becoming stressed and impatient when manoeuvring around and exiting the car park.

This is no more evident that at school drop-off and pick-up times.

As a parent I appreciate the grace period we have been given at these times. However, alongside recent threats of fines for parking on the road this has forced parents into using the car park, thereby increasing the risk.

Surely if the barricade is temporary and under continuous review, someone in authority can now have enough evidence to suggest the barricade should go.

I would rather drive out of an exit onto a road with a 20mph limit than onto an unsuitable road with a 30mph limit.

This should not be a matter of making a point. This should be a matter of the safety and well-being of the residents and users of the town.

I question when the point will be made. Are they waiting for an accident or death to make it?

– Concerned, Aylburton.