VILLAGERS' REASONING II Responding to Mr Watkinson's letter (CM 7-13
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December), "Roads over Railways", the villagers of Spettisbury feel the disused railway line along the village would be most unsuitable. The route would have a 'pinch point' of a fine example of a preserved 17th-century thatched cottage and a Neolithic fortress — the latter had been cut into when the railway was built in the 19th century. Demolition of the cottage or further damage to the ancient fortress would be out of the question. But the overriding reason for wanting a real bypass is that the village has suffered from increasing heavy traffic and we just want the traffic out of sight, sound and smell.
Trains running along the line were never so intrusive. Noise levels from trains are more acceptable (no gearchanging) and trains are only occasional in their movements. In theory, one freight train per day could be the equivalent of a whole day's lorry movements. Pollution and safety also make the railway more acceptable.
These are the villagers' most common complaints about commercial traffic: O Exhaust and mechanical engine noise.
CI Noise from gearchanging. Larger lorries make a particularly offensive noise • Noise from trailer bodywork and 'slack' loads.
O Vibration from larger lorries which appears to damage
plasterwork and mortar 0 Screeching brake drums 0 A great many lorries exceed the 30mph speed limit; light van drivers are particularly notorious. Speeding causes most concern for safety, but speeding is also very noisy. Commercial vehicles which speed at night wake people up. 0 Pollution.
The villagers of Spettisbury believe these are very good reasons for not wanting a bypass on a railway line. Harry Dipple, Spettisbury, Dorset.