When it comes to getting cars off the road by letting people choose to cycle or walk, Poole is miles ahead of Bournemouth and Christchurch.

Closing Poole Quay to car traffic during the day is one last link joining up steadily improving routes around much of Poole. Baiter and Whitecliff now lead on to Poole Quay and then either via the railway tracks to Hamworthy, or up through the road alterations around West Quay Road linking to Holes Bay and on to Upton.

These changes have been going on for years.

The routes are now so popular that they are in need at many points of separation of cyclists and pedestrians.

In the other direction cycle lanes lead down to Sandbanks and the Purbecks, or for commuting into Bournemouth, the prom is available for much of the year.

Unfortunately, efforts to bring the cycling up onto the cliff top by stopping cars rat running in such a lovely area, have suffered a temporary set back, but hopefully this will soon be overcome.

Being able to cycle from Sandbanks is what has made it such a popular destination for millionaires.

Who wants to have to sit in a traffic jam to go anywhere if they can afford to live somewhere you don't have to? Hamworthy is catching up too, since the cycle track went in along the railway line.

I look forward to the rest of the conurbation following Poole's lead into a healthier, fitter, more prosperous, less polluted , present and future.

Susan Stockwell

Poole