Sir, – I would like to thank Councillor Rummery for taking time to give his view on the Skeeby speed cushions (D&S letters, April 4).

He refers to me as a newcomer, I have lived in Richmondshire 80 years. In the 1960s I worked for United buses for 10 years and drove through Skeeby daily. Since then I’ve worked locally, often driving through the village.

The first set of bumps were installed by Councillor Heseltine outside of Government regulations, no meaningful negotiations. To remedy this a meeting was called in the village hall. The vast majority there wanted flashing matrix lights, someone brought parts that had dropped off vehicles, an ambulance driver said his ambulance was slowed down.

At the end of the meeting Councillor Heseltine stood up and unilaterally dictated “The bumps are staying.”

So much for negotiations and democracy.

I suggest Councillor Rummery patrols his patch and he will see small cars slowing down to 10mph and being bounced about; cars driving between the bumps over hazard and double white lines, and vehicles overtaking on the bumps themselves.

If he then inspects the bumps he will see scratches from exhausts and signs of wear, the same wear is inflicted to the tyres. The bumps are causing more danger than there was before. And it is the fault of his authority.

MICHAEL FENWICK Skeeby, Richmond.