Last updated 21:16, Thursday, 27 March 2008

RE the response published last week to Elizabeth Pritchard's recent letter, I don't think Mrs Pritchard missed the point at all when she suggested walking rather than driving to Cockermouth School.

There are far too many unnecessary car journeys in Cockermouth, which our narrow streets struggle to cope with.

In an age of increasing obesity, surely we and our children should be walking wherever possible.

I walk the 10-12 minute journey to All Saints' school with my children aged four and six and every day whatever the weather.

Thanks to waterproofs (readily available since we live on the edge of the Lake District and need them for much of the year) they always arrive at school dry.

Regarding emergency access to Windmill Lane in the event of a blockage, having spoken to a member of the emergency services who lives on the estate, the matter of a second temporary access  (with lockable bollards) could be provided by widening and strengthening the footbridge between St. Helen's Street and All Saints and slightly widening the present footpath so that emergency vehicles could enter/exit the estate.

This would be a much cheaper and more environmentally friendly way of solving the problem of only one emergency access route on to the estates.

JULIE SKIDMORE

St. Helen's Street

Cockermouth