I HAVE enjoyed reading the The Fenland Road Safety Campaign (Charlotte s Way) Aims and Objectives, and found them very factual, interesting and informative. Like yourself and many others, I sincerely hope that eventually positive roadside protection can b

I HAVE enjoyed reading the The Fenland Road Safety Campaign (Charlotte's Way) Aims and Objectives, and found them very factual, interesting and informative.

Like yourself and many others, I sincerely hope that eventually positive roadside protection can be established alongside all these Fenland waterways.

Interim measures like road traffic control by way of average speed systems and the like, will of course help, but as indicated, the ultimate has to be road/riverside protection.

Two particular aspects concern me, and as I am a trained construction engineer and aware that Armco type roadside safety barriers have to be supported in their length, and anchored at specific points to provide strength with flexibility, these are practicality and cost.

Aspect No.1 I have known it to be stated that the ground conditions are not suitable for piling, and yet when there has been a partial slip within the riverside banks along these waterways, the authorities immediately introduce steel sheet piling, to contain the slippage and backfill and make good.

I firmly believe that spaced-out anchor piles can be placed and driven to support the Armco barriers in their running lengths, and that intermediate tensioning anchor piles and anchor units can be installed to provide the necessary tensioning factors within the barrier itself.

Aspect No. 2 The costs bandied about on occasions, when these matters are in the news, always appear to me to be way over the top. I wonder where and how they are generated, and for example the figure of £250k per km in your missive, strikes me as being quite over the top and somewhat "beefed up".

I would like to see a good competitive estimate from a private contractor, experienced in this type of operation, before I can be convinced that finance is the restraining factor.

Many thanks for an interesting document and good luck in your efforts.

JOHN COADY (F INST CES)

Via e-mail

Graham Chapple who launched the The Fenland Road Safety Campaign. 5677BP118