NEW Malden High Street is not a shortcut nor a speed track for cars and lorries - it is a neighbourhood shopping centre.

The wide pavements and the crossing points cater very well for elderly and disabled people and mothers with children and prams, who need all the room they can get.

It is very pleasant to be able to shop in New Malden High Street at leisure without being overwhelmed by traffic noise and dicing with death trying to cross from one side of the road to the other.

Palmerston said that 'building more roads is like feeding cutlets to tigers'.

Road widening will not ease congestion - it will make it worse.

Please keep our High Street for local people to walk along and enjoy and not as yet another divisive through route.

SANDRA BERRY Acacia Grove

New Malden