SIR, There was a public exhibition in Ambleside as part of the consultation exercise' to acquaint residents and others with the detailed plans put forward by Sustrans for the through Ambleside part of the Kendal/Keswick route.

There was a good turnout and on the day that I attended there seemed to be a general feeling of opposition to the planned route through Millans Park. Indeed, I found no-one who supported the route envisaged.

Yet the route goes ahead despite the feelings of local citizens, feelings that were cogently expressed with the interests of the cyclist well to the fore. So what of democracy in our area? How can the planners have the nerve to brush aside the wishes of local people?

There are those of us who have had experience in RoSPA and we are appalled by the arrogance of Sustrans in this instance.

Tony Kent Grasmere SIR, Cyril Hutley might like to know that I use my cycle to do the weekly shopping for my wife and myself (Letters, July 16, How much shopping can a cyclist carry?') but will ensure that in future none of that shopping is done in his petrol0driven idyll of Ambleside! Thankfully there are many more enlightened towns and villages in the area that welcome visitors however they may travel.

Gerald Craske Kendal