• AS a resident of Waltham Forest I must comment on Steven Edwards’s assertion that the local Mini Holland project has been “massively successful”, (We need measures to curb traffic, July 12).

Notwithstanding the ongoing disruption to the surrounding areas of Whipps Cross and Lea Bridge Road, and the strangulation of traffic both from Epping/ Chingford and Hackney, the whole plan seems to have been thrown together at some local council struggle-meeting.

Did no one think to analyse the effect of Mini Holland in areas away from the “point of impact”?

The traders in High Street are concerned for their livelihoods because of delivery difficulties and footfall. The Mini Holland protagonists say “cycle delivery systems are better”. It takes a lot of Hobbits on push-bikes to transport 10,000 deep-frozen pizzas.

In Lea Bridge Road, which is the main artery between Leyton and Hackney, the bus lanes have been removed from what is already a very narrow road and replaced by cycle lanes. This necessitates passengers crossing the cycle lane to board or leave the bus – not helpful for anyone with a buggy, or wheelchair.

There are also many nursery and reception schools here, with many small children moving around on the pavements, facing collision with cyclists running red lights.

Yes we all want, and have a right to, clean air and a healthy environment, and reducing the amount of polluting traffic is to be encouraged, but the initial experiments have now been done and maybe it’s time to think about what (if anything) has been learnt.

T PHILLIPS
Seymour Road, E10