I thought your report relating to the proposed car park opposite the Roundhill Inn, Clough Lane, Rastrick (June11) was biased in favour of the few objectors.

Mr J. Swailes, previous owner of Roundhill Inn, obtained planning permission for a car park back in July 2004. Residents who live opposite the proposed scheme had ample opportunity then to object to a proposed car park and anyone else who has recently moved near to the pub should have been made aware of the approved planning permission by their solicitors when they carried out local searches prior to purchase.

Both sides of this busy road are already being used as parking space. Anyone who comes past on a busy day will know this greatly reduces the width of the road for passing cars. People who park on the other side have been crossing this road for many years with no pedestrian accidents.

Link with that the pedestrian refuge we have to install as part of the planning conditions and these measures can only improve crossing safety and should also have the effect of slowing traffic down. There will be fewer cars parked on the roadside and once the banking is dug out and retaining wall installed the visibility will be far better than it is now. How does that put lives at risk?

In the Courier's first report on this issue Bob Broadley stated that most customers were within walking distance. It's a long walk from Greetland, Barkisland, Lepton, Longwood, Salendine Nook or Lindley to name but a few. He also states there is enough parking. If there was we wouldn't be looking to pay such a large amount of money on this project. We could extend the pub instead.

Greater parking would be of benefit to those who come to the pub for various meetings and events held at the pub.

In response to the second report we decided to organise our own petition in favour of the car park and within four days we had 260 signatures from customers only who consider the car park a far safer alternative to what already exists

Not all residents are opposed to the car park. Some had concerns as they were being provided with incorrect information, rumours suggested the lighting would shine towards the housing when in fact it would be on poles shining down on to the car park away from the houses.

There were also rumours the council would put double yellow lines on both sides of Clough Lane if the car park went ahead. The only extra double yellow lines that I am aware of will be at the proposed entrance and along the length of the car park, most of which is already double yellow.

Now they have the correct details their fears have been allayed, but will probably never be satisfied until the car park is up and running.

Rick Starkey

Roundhill Inn