SIR: I am puzzled as to what Steve Harbourne, Bill Hoade, and their co-petitioners actually want ('Battle to reopen closed road', Chronicle, February 18)? Do they really wish to see the hundreds of people who live and work in Hyde Street return to the bad old days before the street's closure, with its dangerous traffic, associated noise, and heavy pollution? The city end of Hyde Street, where most congestion occurred, has many retirement flats as well as social housing. Those living here are not vociferous campaigners, but they, and all other Hyde Street residents, stand to have their everyday lives diminished by a return to the old system.

The measures introduced by the county council seem both imaginative and progressive. They were devised in the cause of social distancing in response to the Covid pandemic, but they have also served to raise the much larger issues of traffic pollution and the need for safer cycling and walking routes within the city. Making Hyde Street 'access only' has shown what can be done to address these issues and provides a good model for future planners. It is also difficult to see who would benefit from a return to the old system? Traffic would still increase steadily, as it has done for years, and residents of Hyde Street, Worthy Lane, North Walls and City Road would all suffer accordingly. A more radical approach is needed. If this discourages traffic into the city to some extent, then this would be a positive result.

I respect our two county councillors, Martin Tod and Dominic Hiscock, for sticking to their principles in supporting these measures, and for guiding them through to the next stage of consultation. There are two sides to this debate - and it does seem that some re-balancing of the discussion is long overdue, particularly as the 're-open' campaign is now threatening legal action in pursuit of its aim.

Professor Nigel Wood,

Hyde Street,

Hyde,

Winchester