I do agree with Jane Horsell’s letter in last week’s Gazette & Herald regarding the road resufacing in Cocklebury Road but contract work at the college could break it all up again, like when the extended car park and walling at the station work was in progress.

Heavy lorries doing that work broke up the existing surface, causing the potholes we have there today.

However, I do not agree with her opinion regarding cutting down the old tree in the middle of the road.

Quite a few years back many of us from Monkton Park protested against this happening and the Gazette supported us by doing a story about the protest with a photograph.

One reason for the protest was that the tree is still living and it is a local landmark. It’s been there through many generations, but most important of all, it keeps the racers from going over to the other side of the road, which they do often when going fast on the bend there.

We have seen many accidents there, but although they have hit the brickwork surrounding the tree, they haven’t actually hit oncoming cyclists or motorists as yet.

To hit the tree they would have to be driving in the centre of the road, not the kerbside.

Even if a keep left bollard replaced the tree, I could see that would be hit many times too.

The tree is the better option. It is sturdy and has withstood many knocks. I feel it has saved lives, but with it gone, I feel speed will become much more of a factor.

Mrs S Lye, Montague Close, Chippenham.