I FIND the objections of Mr Sweeting and his friends regarding the bus gate rather strange, especially their arguments about road size and bends. Perhaps they should do a tour of the other estates in the town.

There they will find that a lot of unregulated traffic (no bus gates) and buses regularly pass through and go around roads of a similar size to Queen Elizabeth road – and often using junctions and bends that are not ideal – but in doing so the buses provide a valuable service to the residents.

Basically, the layout of their estate is no different to others in the area that has bus routes. At least with the bus gate the type of traffic will be restricted.

They should also look at the broader picture, on the new estate where they are complaining about the opening of the bus gate, there are many people who find it difficult to access the town without a bus service.

This includes young families and in particular the residents living in the sheltered accommodation at Mulberry Court. These elderly people, many who used to live locally on the Beeches estate, before Mr Sweeting and friends’ houses were even thought about, desperately need a bus service for them to visit the town and other areas.

I have lived at the Beeches and Stratton and I use the buses regularly so I know their routes through the estates, and how difficult it can be for them negotiating the roads sometimes. But they manage safely and it is a great benefit to many people, especially the elderly living on them.

This route through the bus gate is the only sensible option open at the moment, compared to the main roundabout which is way too dangerous, even for normal vehicles to enter and exit the estate.

PAUL BLANNIN, Cirencester

Editor’s note: Repeated from last week with apologies for the symbols which appeared in place of Mr Blannin’s name and address