I FEEL I need to write concerning a few future developments in Ely, namely; Sainsbury s proposed store in Lisle Lane. It would appear that no one has considered the possible severe traffic congestion and noise disturbance to the local residents. Why site

I FEEL I need to write concerning a few future developments in Ely, namely;

Sainsbury's proposed store in Lisle Lane.

It would appear that no one has considered the possible severe traffic congestion and noise disturbance to the local residents. Why site a supermarket on the opposite side of the city to where the majority of the residential housing is. Surely it would be better sited off Cam Drive where there are better and already existing possible access routes via the roundabouts off the bypass and half way along Cam drive itself, thus not impacting and adding to the already congested routes around the city centre and avoiding worsening the severe traffic problems down Broad Street and the roads leading to Lisle Lane via Prickwillow Road. This would also better serve the local surrounding villages to the north and west of this site and proposed future housing developments out to Chettisham.

Also the shuttle bus suggestion could then be better justified from Cam Drive to the city centre whereas if it was sited down Lisle Lane why would you need a shuttle bus up Fore Hill? Another point is the suggestion of a walkway through The Vineyards. I an sure the residents of this peaceful idyllic street do not wish to have increased foot traffic through here where the street narrows and navigates around a semi blind bend as it emerges out on to the Market Place. This would also mean the shops down Fore Hill are potentially bypassed by shoppers when they should be encouraged to walk up this street.

The plan to build a Leisure Centre/Swimming Pool at Downham Road baffles me as I have yet to find a public swimming pool/leisure centre in any other town/city that has a swimming pool situated outside the city's boundary on the opposite/wrong side of a bypass. This does not encourage residents to walk or cycle to such an establishment that is so far out and across a very busy main road bypass, especially young children unaccompanied as they do now at the present location in town.

Maybe this could be sited down Lisle Lane instead of Sainsbury's as it would appear that the site is more than big enough for a new sports complex and car park to serve the centre and shoppers so they could walk up and browse the shops up Fore Hill.

The plan for a Southern Bypass is a tricky one, but why not use the existing Ely High Bridge over the river and then go over what is at present the King's School playing fields alongside the railway/station to a point at the far corner, and then through a tunnel under the railway and merging with Angel Drove and onto Cambridge Road roundabout with a new junction for Angel Drove where the roads merge.

COLIN FAUX

By email.