With reference to letter from Mr Martin Johnson (Your Letters, May 9), is he not aware that the property he lives in was once "well loved countryside"?

The council are well aware of the plans from back in the 1970s for a relief road from the Bromyard Road Trading Estate to the Worcester Road. Perhaps Mr Johnson does not realise just how much traffic does use Knapp Lane as a short cut; which is a big inconvenience to all residents who live within the vicinity that need to have "access only" as the signs dictate, to their properties. That is, those residents who have lived in Ledbury 40 plus years, like ourselves or Ledbury "born and bred".

After all what say did the locals have regarding all the building constructions which can be seen from all angles, taking away our "well loved countryside"? Perhaps Mr Johnsone this is what they call "progress"?

Mary McCarthy, Upperfields, Ledbury.