James Courtenay accuses me of writing a load of old “tosh” about bollards and trees in the Leigh area (June 6).

There are many roads near to me, where I have lived for nearly 60 years, that have either lost all the trees that once lined them, or now only have the odd one or two remaining.

So I jokingly referred to the “bollards” springing up in Bridgwater Drive and tongue-in-cheek questioned the cost of the exercise.

Mr Courtenay, obviously devoid of a sense of humour, goes into a long discourse over the why’s and wherefores of the bollards, justifying them by claiming it was what residents want.

Fine, if needed, I don’t have a problem with that aspiration. However at this time of austerity?

I didn’t question their need, I questioned the cost involved when other more important services/facilities are being cut back.

Icing on the cake is fine, when you can afford it!

I seem to have hit a nerve by stating a fact that there are fewer trees these days lining local roads.

I made no reference to the complicity, make accusation or otherwise, about the Conservative administration “ripping down trees”!

Nor did I make reference to, or question the policy that he then goes on to unnecessarily “defend”, about tree replacement!

I wonder who is writing the “tosh” or should that be “bollards”?

Mike Hansford
Blenheim Chase
Leigh