I have been reading your postbag this week and felt I must reply to the letters submitted.

Mr Sykes who has just returned to Ely and wants to ensure that the bypass is not constructed.

He also quotes that other Elyeans would have the same views. Not sure where he gets that one from!

I do not know how many years Mr Sykes has been away, and perhaps he has not noticed the vast increase in traffic around the Ely area?

Perhaps that does not concern him. He, like many, seem to want to ‘bury their heads in the sand’. Ely cannot expand if this bypass is not granted.

People who live in Ely/Soham area and have to use the existing road are continually having to wait for the railway gates to re-open.

I have been caught in a queue past Stuntney turning waiting to go through Ely.

Over 30 minutes was wasted as another train then arrived and the gates were shut once more meaning that the existing queue did not have time to clear.

It’s a nonsense to suggest an underpass under the railway would be the answer. What happens to the cars etc once they have moved under the railway lines?

They are then confronted with all the lorries and traffic which will build up at the roundabout as you enter the City. Not a good solution.

I wonder if My Sykes has also noticed that the East Cambridgeshire District Council have stopped parking on the High Bridge? No one can now park in the area to even walk along the footpath. Parking the car in that area is a nightmare!

This follows that there will be very few people who will be affected by the new road and so why all the fuss?

Has Mr Sykes studied the plans for the bypass? If he looks closely he will note that there will be MORE people who can enjoy the view of the cathedral from the new road if constructed.

I believe in progress so Ely has to expand and without the bypass Ely will remain behind all the other major towns in the area. If a company wanted to relocate to the area one of the first items they would look at is communications.

If the bypass is not constructed most businesses would not consider Ely for their company. Wake up to reality or do you want Ely to remain that ‘small ship’ in the fens?

I think there should also be an open discussion with English Heritage regarding their views why they are against the bypass.

Why should a government quango hold up a development which is vital for the future of Ely.

Can Sir James Paice arrange an open meeting so we can all attend and hear their views?

It would certainly be better for the population to place their views rather than an unelected organisation being able to stall a vital improvement, and maybe stop it altogether.

I know there are more in favour of the bypass than against, as this is the only way to bring Ely into a modern township with employment and opportunities for all.

GEOFF SPINKS

Via e-mail