I ATTENDED the transport meeting at the Civic Offices on Monday to offer my support for traffic calming.

Being a close friend of a child hit by a car, I welcome all measures to slow speeding residents down.

What a shambles. The meeting was dominated by protesters against the Covingham road humps. Why?

A meeting has already been arranged solely to discuss that issue.

Why are the Covingham humps any different from others throughout the borough?

The answer became obvious. The new Tory councillor in Covingham reiterated his election promise to have those humps removed. Coun Bawden, whose party was unanimous in supporting the installation of the road humps in Covingham, supported that promise.

It was a Tory party political meeting, with selected speakers called upon to make long statements to the public, instead of questions to the chairman.

Some genuine questioners were told to shut up.

The 2000-plus selfish petitioners need have no worries. Their humps will be removed to ensure another Tory councillor in the Covingham ward.

How will the Tories react to the backlash that will unfold if one area's humps are removed (humps that are no worse than any others in the town) just for political gain? I look forward to the outcome.

L WILLIAMS

Westlea

Swindon