IT is with a certain amount of relief that many residents of Green Street and Morton Street have heard that the railway crossing is not to be constructed in their vicinity. Having said that, we do have sympathy for the Coombelands residents. At long last

IT is with a certain amount of relief that many residents of Green Street and Morton Street have heard that the railway crossing is not to be constructed in their vicinity. Having said that, we do have sympathy for the Coombelands residents. At long last Herts County Council has arrived at a decision. But I must say I am rather confused as to the principles behind this whole process. Let us consider for a moment some of the implications. - After the first survey we were given a choice of a bridge or an underpass at the two sites. The result of the voting was for a bridge at Coombes Hole. At the end of the day we now have an underpass. What has happened to democracy? - We are constantly being told that numerous people are crossing the railway, and that the places at which they do so are known to the police. If this is the case, then two questions must be asked: a) What are the numbers? b) Why haven't the police arrested those concerned for trespass. - Another point that concerns me is that if those who are crossing the line are trespassing on rail property, why is it that we, the council tax payers, are providing a solution. If the rail operator erected an 8ft fence on both sides of the line for about half-a-mile, then we could possibly say problem solved. - Some councillors seem to be confused as to whether we are attempting to provide a solution to the trespass problem or an amenity to the community. - This underpass is expected to cost us about £3 million. We are told that it is needed in order to save lives. Can anyone recall a single person being killed on this stretch of line? So who are these people - trespassers? I doubt whether the construction of one underpass will stop them crossing elsewhere. - I put forward a third possibility, an underpass under the railway embankment at the north end of the Coombelands estate. There would be no need to go down under the railway at this point as you could go straight through at ground-level. This idea was dismissed in just five lines of a two-page letter from the chief executive of the county council. I'm sure that would be much cheaper to construct at a convenient position and would not be an eyesore. - Finally, I find it impossible to understand the logic of a decision to cut fire station personnel to save money, who it can be proved do save so many lives throughout the year, and with the next breath throw £3 million on a project which has no facts or figures to back up the concept that it will save lives, or whether the community needs it in the first place. We have been assured that the underpass, roadway, and lighting will be designed with care and consideration, and consultations will take place with all those affected. Let us all hope that this is the case and that the county council will really listen to everyone's concerns and act accordingly. Any construction is something we have to live with for a long time. If the county council insist on going ahead with this project, let us pray that they get it right first time. BRIAN PEPPER Morton Street Royston