Letters, contributions and comments sent in from Times’ readers this week.

Traffic plans need a rethink

Greg Campbell, The Crescent, Dollis Hill, wrotes an open letter to the council’s project manager, Sandor Fazekas:

I am writing in respect of the council’s proposals for a “healthy neighbourhood” in the Dollis Hill area, and specifically in response to the circular delivered to local residents last week, which is in your name.

I have no objection in principle to the proposal to create healthy neighbourhoods, and I am actually in favour of it.

However, the key aim is to reduce traffic.

It is clear from the map provided in the circulated document and from my experience as a longstanding local resident, that the proposals will cause a significant increase in traffic at certain points.

These points are in particular: (a) The Crescent and (b) at the junction of Dollis Hill Lane and Edgware Road.

In respect of (a), many residents of the western half of Dollis Hill Avenue and the four closes off that street will use The Crescent, as their only alternative means of egress will be Park Side.

The Crescent already experiences a lot of traffic, much of it proceeding at speed, and this will worsen the position. There have, over time, been a number of accidents in the street, with dangers to pedestrians and parked cars damaged.

For instance, I myself had a vehicle written off as well as that of a visitor, both parked outside our house, some years ago.

In respect of (b), Dollis Hill Lane will experience increased traffic because many vehicles that currently use Gladstone Park Gardens, Dollis Hill Avenue or Oxgate Gardens to reach Edgware Road, will all now be using Dollis Hill Lane.

This in turn will lead to a build-up of vehicles at the traffic lights at the Edgware Road junction.

Apart from unnecessary delays to drivers, the resultant increase in vehicles waiting for the lights will cause an increase in the air pollution that the healthy neighbourhoods is supposed to prevent.

I have discussed these issues with neighbours in The Crescent, all of whom agree that these proposals need to be rethought.

Play your park to hep contain virus

Len Duvall OBE, London Assembly member, chair of the London Assembly Oversight Committee, writes:

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Covid-19 is going to become an even bigger issue for London over the coming days, weeks, and unfortunately months.

Our city has seen an increase in people needing tests and hospital beds. Patients being admitted to ICU is also on the rise.

London is now on the government’s watchlist. I urge Londoners to keep a close eye on government advice.

We must protect lives and our NHS by obeying the rules.

Everyone wants our war with Covid-19 to be over but it’s far from that.

We must do the right thing and protect our city and each other from this horrible disease.

By washing our hands, sticking to social distancing, and wearing a face covering, we will all be doing our bit to stop the spread of the virus.