A FEW weeks ago you published a letter of mine in which I questioned how we could afford to build more cycle lanes when we were in a cost of living crisis.

You also printed a reply from the Reverend Philip Martin who very politely insinuated, that when I referred to ‘angry minorities’ and ‘uproar and outrage’ from the usual suspects, that in this I was in some way referring to cyclists.

This was certainly not the case as I have nothing against cyclists or cycle lanes, indeed in an ideal world starting with a blank canvas cycle lanes would be a fantastic addition.

Perhaps I should clarify that I was referring to some of the eco-zealots who frequently contribute to the echo letters page.

Politically, however, things have moved on and the country has borrowed too much – we have high inflation with interest rates rising, placing people with a mortgage in a difficult position.

Indeed the new chancellor has stated that nothing is off the table. We are also faced with possible cuts to public services and much more.

With all this taking place I still cannot understand why we continue to spend millions on relatively unused cycle lanes – surely this expenditure would be well down the list of priorities.

With the situation the country is in at present at the very least the building of cycle lanes should be put on hold, as I am sure that many other projects of this nature will be.

COLIN MOYES

Harkwood Drive, Hamworthy