The Mayor of London has demanded a 40 per cent fall in the rate of accidents in the capital and surrounding areas.

This is a noble request, which however, has

not been looked into properly when dealing with some roads.

Using Transport for London's own figures, 120,000 cars per day use the A2 between Dartford Heath and Kidbrooke.

Over the past three years there have been 113 accidents and one fatality. That means the percentage of accidents to journeys over the three year period is 0.000086%.

As we can see the safety argument is laughable, especially as I had seen a three car accident on the second day of this exercise when traffic was

moving at 20mph on the two lane stretch at Kidbrooke.

What this exercise in lunacy has actually done is add to the frustration already felt by motorists, severely increasing the risk of road rage, increased the threat of pollution and bronchial problems to residents who

live on the A2 and added around eight miles to the already huge traffic problems.

The Blackfen turn-off, yes I can see that being awkward, but there has never been a problem going south and never at the Black Prince or Dartford Heath

junctions. The only reason Falconwood is a problem is you can't turn left!!!!.

I motorcycle to work in the City every day, rain or shine, because of the extortionate cost and total unreliability of public transport.

With these changes the risk of my having a serious accident has hugely increased.

P.s. last Friday, it took me 90 minutes to do a 35 minute journey on a motorcycle, because of an overturned lorry at Bluewater.

The traffic was backed up beyond the Blackwell Tunnel. In the five years I have travelled to work by motorbike I have never seen such a total and utter disaster with traffic management as that Friday.

So thanks Ken, from everybody who either needs to or chooses to use their car or bike to get to work. Thanks for the added danger on the roads and the

pollution and the doubling or trebling of the time it takes us to get to work.

And an especial thank you from motorcyclists, you may think you will reduce the accident rate, but the mortality rate for us will increase rapidly.

Gary Middleton

Beaconsfield Road

Bexley

November 23, 2001 15:43