Sir, I have to say that I sympathise with Dr David Earnshaw’s letter (‘Cyclists are minority users on the A591’) printed in the Gazette on October 3.

There is no doubt that the money expended on laying down the cycle lanes between Ings and Ambleside is a scandalous waste of taxpayers’ money and should be condemned.

In addition to the matters raised by Dr Earnshaw, I would point out that many serious cyclists (not holiday makers on hire bikes) hesitate to use the cycle way because it is not maintained in a clean and rideable condition (note the decaying leaves lying on the surface at the moment) and has a number of adverse cambers which are potentially lethal; imagine sliding off the cycle lane onto the main A591 if the cycle way surface becomes slippery with winter ice.

Our county councillors crow about the benefits (?) we gain from schemes such as this while neglecting to ensure that other more important matters are attended to, such as keeping the highway in good order. If there were a prize for the worst town centre road in the country I would nominate that section of the A591 in Ambleside between the White Lion Hotel and the top of Kelsick Road and be confident of winning first prize.

Furthermore, what crackpot decided to introduce a 20mph speed limit on the A591 at Waterhead? No doubt this was done to benefit the millions (?) of cyclists who allegedly clog up the roads leading to Ambleside every day; it is certainly causing frustration to local motorists who have to crawl along in low gear working themselves up into a potential road rage.

To add insult to injury the county council has erected no less than ten signs at the top of the single track McIver Lane at Waterhead in connection with this ridiculous 20mph scheme, with a similar number of signs at the other end.

I am sick and tired of witnessing this escalating and never-ending waste of public money.

No doubt we will have to endure yet another massive council tax rise next year; if we do I urge all your readers to kick out every one of our existing county councillors (not forgetting the district councillors who are busily shutting down our public toilets) at the first opportunity and to replace them with real people who understand country life and our true requirements. The present lot have lost touch with reality and should move to a big city like London where they will find out what real congestion is.

Beware; the nanny state is threatening to engulf us. Bring back the Brigadier who took charge of foot and mouth in Cumbria a year or so back; he will sort things out double quick because he is a real human being and not a party political groupie.

R.W. Martakies Ambleside