Sir, – Since my letter (April 29th) seems to have provoked correspondence from readers (even as far removed as Berlin), I wish to clarify the purpose of my letter. While I briefly expressed some sympathy for people seeking car parking at the zoo, at no point have I approved the practice of car parking on Chesterfield Avenue. I am totally opposed to such practice. Correspondents have ignored my question as to was it necessary to carve up this specially designed road in order to enhance cyclist and pedestrian facilities. The changes made to Chesterfield Avenue by the intrusion of bollards and markings have a devastating visual effect on the road and should have no place in the rural aspect of the Phoenix Park. The "appearance of grandeur" given by a "wide carriageway" described by Thomas Legge (May 2nd) is, in fact, soothing especially to those who, through age and immobility (like myself), can no longer enjoy the pleasures of walking or cycling in the Phoenix Park and, of necessity, travel by car. It is also possible that such "grandeur" might not be out of place to those using Chesterfield Avenue to visit Áras an Uachtaráin and the residence of the American ambassador. There are other means of prohibiting parking and, once again, I ask the Office of Public Works to about turn and give us back our gracious "main road". – Yours, etc,
EILEEN LYNCH,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – The bollards along Chesterfield Avenue may be doing a fine job of separating the cyclists from the cars, but they also do look terrible, as well as being a potential danger if someone catches their handlebars on one.
Could something a bit lower and more aesthetically pleasing be installed instead and not made of plastic?
We’re supposed to be getting away from plastic. – Yours, etc,
DAVID DORAN,
Bagenalstown,
Co Carlow.