I WRITE regarding your front page article of February 15. I don't think your reporter understands the meaning of the expression 'rat run'. It actually means 'a minor road heavily used by traffic trying to avoid main route congestion'.

I have sat at the end of Burnt Barn Road on two mornings between 8am and 9pm and seen only 22 cars coming down and seven cars going up. These were all people, who live in Chartist Way or have garages backing on to Burnt Barn Road, taking the most logical route to the motorway to get to work or to take their children to school. They were all driving slowly. This clearly does not qualify as a 'rat run'.

I cannot think of any motorist who would wiggle round the end of Lord Eldon Drive and go up a narrow uneven lane to avoid a couple of speed bumps – and to get to where?

It might also be noted that, since the Bulwark Football Club closed down, the little playground next to the pitch is scarcely ever used.

I'm also at a loss to understand how housing developments in Lower Chepstow and Lydney will affect this small road in Thornwell.

Cllr Watts, your plea for 'something to be done' is a waste of everyone's time.

– Marian Lewis, Collingwood Close, Thornwell.