THE ongoing debate regarding
cycleways has not mentioned
what my wife and I
consider the most dangerous
obstacle that we push-bikers
face.

It is where drains are set
lower by some five inches
below the road surface.
Worse than potholes!
If your front wheel suddenly
drops into such a drain,
over the handlebars you go.


To avoid them, and there
are plenty around Andover,
you have to swerve to the
right and put yourself, with
fingers crossed, at the mercy
of speeding motors.
 

There is an excellent example
of such a deep-set drain
directly opposite the main
entrance to our hospital –
highly appropriate!
 

The highway engineers
have a lot to answer for in
this regard.
 

John Porter, Millway
Road,
Andover.