THE new cycleway between Ashurst and Lyndhurst is awful!

A path was needed and I had looked forward to its completion, but on September 2 my fellow club cyclists and I decided that the road was safer despite the traffic. Why?

The reasons are that the highways department of New Forest Council or Hampshire County Council covered the surface with sand and grit. This is completely unsatisfactory, for two reasons: firstly, sand and grit will be thrown up into the chain and gears, and secondly braking suddenly would result in skidding, falling off and a pile up.

Before cycleways are introduced consultation with cyclists would be helpful. There are two excellent clubs in the New Forest, i.e. Crabwood CC and New Forest CC, both of whom would, I am sure, be willing to give advice.

There are examples of recently opened cycleways which all cyclists can use safely, although we have a long way to go to match the facilities that cyclists enjoy on the continent.

The provision of a cyclepath should not be the end of the expenditure. It must be swept regularly and overhanging branches and hedges removed.

GRAHAME SMITH, Chandler's Ford.