I do not agree with Henry MacDonald (June 17) when he says we do not need more cycle paths.

I live in Crowstone Road, Westcliff, and regularly cycle to Southend and back, usually along the London Road, and I mean on the road, not the pavement.

In recent years the traffic has increased dramatically.

We could do with cycle paths all along the London Road into Southend, after all more people use that route than the seafront or Prittlebrook, as it’s direct and convenient.

I have also lived on the continent, mainly Germany, and there they have cycle tracks everywhere, either on the outside of the pavement or the inside of the road, whereas here in Westcliff, what could have been used for cycles has been given over for cars to park, particularly between the Cricketers pub and the junction with Hamlet Court Road and London Road.

We need to get people out of their cars and onto their bikes if we want a healthier country than we have at present, and, into the bargain, save the NHS money on treating cases of heart attacks, diabetes, obesity and strokes, and the way to do that is to provide more, not less cycle tracks.

Karen J Hardman
Crowstone Road
Westcliff