I would like to reply to the letter published on Monday re the closure of St Peters Road to traffic between 10pm and 5am.

This was an action taken after careful consultation with the Chamber of Trade, the police as well as the councillors representing the area.

Following representations, additional taxi parking spaces have already been allocated at the north end of the pedestrian area of Old Christchurch Road.

In dealing with road closures, we have given priority to the views of the police force and also to take into account the views of all sections of our community as there is general satisfaction with the night time closure arrangements.

We are always willing to listen to approaches to modify any approach but in this particular case we do not feel it would be correct to make the changes, which are being requested by those in the taxi trade.

MICHAEL FILER, Cabinet Member for Transformation and Technical Services