Last updated 16:03, Friday, 21 November 2008

I was very upset to hear of plans to close West Walls in Carlisle to traffic.

This road is narrow but mostly used by citizens of Carlisle – local people – and I have always found drivers to be very careful and polite when meeting another vehicle. It also does keep traffic off the one-way system around the town, which can be a real bottleneck on Lowther Street, Drovers Lane and West Tower Street.

As to changing the parking arrangements in Castle Street, Finkle Street, Fisher Street and St Mary’s Gate, and cutting traffic around the cathedral, it will certainly cut traffic and customers to the shops in Carlisle. The centre of Carlisle is virtually dead after 4pm now.

Disabled people will not be able to walk from Abbey Street to shops in pedestrian areas and The Lanes, and they cannot cope with steps from Town Orchard car park. There are only two disabled spaces in Marks and Spencer car park.

Supermarkets outside the town will certainly do well. Carlisle will become a ghost town.

I feel that much more thought should be given to these plans.

E SIMPSON
Carlisle