I would like to take issue with both Cllr Nick Adams-King and Cllr Mark Cooper when they both intimate that there is nothing more that can be done to protect the two low bridges in Romsey from being struck by careless HGV drivers.

Firstly, they need to get their minions to check out the positioning of the 'Overheight Vehicle - Divert' sign at the end of Malmesbury Road. Presumably it will direct the driver to turn left into Duttons Road to avoid the low bridge, where there is a sign which states 'Not suitable for HGVs'!

The only other alternative would be Greatbridge Road, which is  even more unsuitable. All the relevant signage needs to be examined  to see if it is clearly visible and in the most appropriate place.

Some of it clearly is. For example coming from Winchester the last warning notice about the Sun Arch bridge, before the sign on Winchester Hill, is way back at the Potters' Heron in Ampfield. But presumably  this sign is deliberately positioned after the Hook Road turn off as that is another unsuitable road for HGVs because of the single file pinch-points?

It seems to me that the only radical solution to this problem is to prevent commercial vehicles over 4.3m high from using Romsey as a short cut from and to the docks and the Nursling Trading Estate - by law.

If negligent drivers deliberately disregard the legal instruction then it should be relatively straightforward to prosecute them. It happens on the continent so why not here?

Actually it would be good for the people of Romsey and our buildings if all vehicles over a certain tonnage could be kept well away from Romsey altogether, except for necessary local access, of course. A project for the  Romsey & District Society?

Michael Bull,

Ashley Meadows,

Romsey