I wish to express my great disappointment at Richmond Council's about face on its original decision to allow an experimental closure of Latchmere Lane.

The conduct of both sides at the meeting, to the council's credit, was patient and courteous enabling both sides of the argument to be put forward.

However, it was obvious almost from the outset, that the Borough's Engineering Dept had been requested to come up with a solution - ANY solution, that would enable the councillors to change their minds without seeming to give in to intimidation of the most blatant kind.

It would seem that the tentacles of Kingston Council's influence do not stop at the borough boundary.

The Mayor of Kingston himself was there, hovering in a corner, to oversee matters and ensure everything went according to plan. Just as he was with the organisers, the evening before the Remembrance Day protest in Latchmere Lane.

We, the residents of Latchmere Lane North, would appear to be the pawns in a game of chess between Kingston and Richmond, where political gain, seats to be won or lost, count for more that the well-being and safety of residents.

Was I that naïve to think that a well argued case would carry the day?

The only thing our opponents had on their side, apart from sheer numbers, were some very suspect traffic figures supplied by Kingston - but of course.

JIM SIMPKIN

Latchmere Lane

Richmond

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