Letter: Supporting the rule of law at Newbury

Sir: The anti-road protesters have not only lost direction in their "Third Battle of Newbury" - they chose completely the wrong site for their protest (leading article, 5 April).

The case for the bypass is overwhelming: the congestion on the A34 at Newbury is the one obstacle to a clear run from Scotland to the south of Spain. It is not just the people of Newbury who want the bypass, in order to reduce pollution in the area and ease local traffic problems, but all those who use this major route.

What is most alarming about the whole sorry affair is that by employing a full-time organiser and with the ability to use all the modern methods of communication, a small group can so rapidly promote a campaign against a project supported by all parties, local and national, which resulted from 14 years of consultation, inquiry and investigation according to true democratic process. Are we to be ruled by government and law or by the outcome of a conflict between professional protesters on the one hand and hired security guards on the other, a conflict promoted by the exploitation of the media by a single issue group?

While regretful of the extra cost caused by the protesters, we should all be thankful that under the cheerful, firm and courteous direction of the Under-Sheriff of Berkshire the first stage of the bypass has been successfully completed.

Mrs Mary E C Rich

Thatcham, Berkshire