I READ in the Observer last week that the HS2 has been given the go-ahead and that this in turn will be the trigger for railway works around Langley Station.

This then leads to the permanent closure of the bridge at Hollow Hill Lane. So the taste of chaos given to us Langley residents with the temporary closure is going to become a daily way of life.

It’s obvious to us all in Langley that the bridge should be replaced with a proper underpass as part of the overall redevelopment. This will then provide for a decent by-pass and continue to alleviate the traffic congestion in the area.

All the more important when you take into account the housing estates currently being considered and planned around the Iver area.

It’s great to hear that Slough Council are batting our wicket and have gone into discussions with HS2 about this potentially permanent closure but they don’t mention what wicket they are batting! I don’t know what Slough Council’s stance is on this.

I do know about Bucks County Council – they say ‘there is not enough traffic to warrant this spend.’ I know about our MP Fiona Mactaggart’s stance – to quote from her letter, ‘from Slough’s point of view we do not support a relief road as it will lead to more traffic being sucked into Slough when there are problems on the M25’. Sorry, but I think this is so wrong. If there was a problem on the M25 causing me to detour, it would be much more convenient to be able to get straight down to the M4 Slough East junction and such a by-pass (relief road) would allow this to happen without congesting Slough or Langley.

Let’s face the truth, most people in the local authority seem not to care at all about Langley and it’s about time that Langley residents realised this.

It was an absolute disgrace seeing the havoc that was caused around the village. There should definitely be a vacancy for a new road planning officer.

I sincerely hope that the Langley residents remember the treatment they have been afforded by this council at the next local elections – you get what you vote for!

JOHN WEST Langley Road, Slough