Cycling safety

The events are time trials, held under the Road Time Trials Council and are held on a regular basis throughout the summer. Before an event or time trial is allowed to take place, the event organiser of the host club has to submit the necessary information to the police.

Providing the police approve, then the events take place. Motorists will often see cyclists racing on Sunday mornings on the A19 and A168, and not so frequently on Saturday afternoons. Event organisers take safety extremely seriously and that is why road users will see marshals on certain points of the road, generally at roundabouts.

Events are always well-marshalled, though accidents occasionally do occur. In my experience, considering the amount of time trials held throughout the country, there are very few accidents.

Motorists are generally accepting of cyclists when racing, and make extra allowances when overtaking. Very often it provides a highlight of a journey to see cyclists racing against the clock.

I sympathise with the writer, but complaints are very rare, and most people view time trialling as a "exciting,colourful activity", envious of the cyclists abilities and fitness!

A couple of seconds slower driving may be the answer? Complaints are never wanted, but they are in the minority.

GORDON HOWES

Crayke Road,

Stockton.

Sir, - P Weaver wondered aloud on your letters page whether organisers appreciated the danger of cycle racing on the A19. Contrary to his disparaging comment of "obviously not", I can assure him that organisers are acutely aware of the dangers involved.

Firstly, as cyclists themselves, they will be made aware on a daily basis of the dreadful driving standards of a significant percentage of road users, whatever their mode of transport. In this, I include defective eyesight, poor reactions, lack of observation and anticipation, disregard of speed limits and even simple errors of judgement.

Secondly, they are obliged to complete a risk assessment of the whole course, supply traffic counts (events must only be held during quieter periods) and obtain police permission for the race to take place.

Fast dual carriageways can actually be relatively safe as they provide clear visibility for a long distance ahead and easy passing for motor traffic.

Compare this to much narrower, twisting A or B roads, often with a similar speed of traffic. As alluded to earlier, it is not so much the roads that are dangerous, rather the driving standards, with different roads having different (but not necessarily lesser) risks.

Returning to the original reason for Mr Weaver venting his spleen: by his own admission, he had already "proceeded on to the roundabout". Therefore, why exactly did he need his wife to urgently point out a slowing vehicle in front of him?

MIKE POTTER

High Mill House,

Pickering.

D-Day thanks

Sir, - The organising committee for Redcar's 60th anniversary D-Day celebrations would like to thank the many people who took part in the parade and service in the town.

Particular thanks go to the fire service, the Red Cross, the RNLI and local doctors who gave assistance to those overcome by the heat of the day; to the crews of the military-style vehicles in attendance for offering transportation to the veterans unable to march; to the clergy, the guests who spoke during the service, including our mayor, Madge Moses, and Vera Baird MP; to our guests, the US Navy and to everyone else on parade, not forgetting our veterans who honoured us with their presence.

It was a tremendous turnout, both in the numbers on parade but those members of the public who came to not just watch but to remember and give thanks.

The parade organiser, Eric Howden, would also like to thank the people who supported him on his sponsored bike ride recently and he is honoured to announce that he raised £1,719.11 for the Normandy veterans to enjoy when they return to France in the very near future.

ERIC HOWDEN

Hon secretary,

Redcar Royal British Legion and parade organiser.

What a shambles

Sir, - Even by Labour's standards, the postal voting system has been a complete shambles.

We have had reports of fraud, intimidation, votes being sold on Ebay, Labour's headquarters being caught out giving advice on how to exploit the voting system, missing ballot papers, people receiving dozens of ballot papers, children receiving ballot papers and the police have had to investigate numerous complaints when presumably they should have better things to do like catching burglars.

Turnout did increase, although how much of that was due to fraud we do not know, and turnout increased anyway in those areas which did not have this system inflicted on them.

Given that Chris Leslie overruled the independent Electoral Commission to impose all postal votes on us, he should now apologise and promise it will not happen again. This has been a prime example of how Labour has to meddle in everything, however much it is not needed or wanted.

If Mr Leslie wishes to continue with this ridiculous system, I will challenge him to a public debate on this issue any time, anywhere in the Shipley constituency with an independent chairman of his choice.

Will Mr Leslie admit this system was a failure or will he debate this issue with me?

PHILIP DAVIES

Conservative parliamentary candidate, Shipley.

Height of folly

Sir, - Great booklet with last week's D&S. One comment. Even I can now climb Roseberry Topping (after looking at it from afar). See page 15 of Welcome to North Yorkshire. What? 105ft!

DAVID & ELIZABETH POWELL

Cornlee,

Aysgarth.

Editor's note: Roseberry Topping is, of course, 1,057ft high. We apologise for the confusion.