Sir, – The letter from the chair of Skeeby Parish Council (D&S Times, August 29), which purports to give the full facts, requires some corrections and additions. Firstly, the reference to a very serious accident soon after the fatal one on July 13, 1999 is incorrect. The county council's accredited accident statistics show that the first serious accident after this date was November 12, 2002, which was after the installation of the speed humps.

Secondly, at the meeting called by Cllr Heseltine, incidentally, on January 17, 2001, not January 18 as stated, we were told that to have a 30mph limit we had to have speed humps. This was stated in such a way that the people attending the meeting were led to believe that this was a legal requirement. Subsequent investigation with the DfT showed that not to be the case. I was, and remain, firmly of the belief that the decision to install speed humps was taken prior to that meeting, and that this is the reason for the subsequent dictatorial stance of Cllr Heseltine. This meeting therefore was less than transparent. The meeting allegedly held at Northallerton in July 2001 was, presumably, just window dressing.

At the meeting on November 3, 2009, as at the earlier meeting, the great majority of villagers were against the speed humps and the response of the county council was unequivocal, the humps were here to stay. Democracy in practice in North Yorkshire - what a disgrace.

Finally, the statement that the humps have done the job they were designed to do is patently absurd and not as indicated by Paul Greenaway, of the county ciuncil, in his letter to residents of November 29, 2000 who stated: “It is intended to reduce the speed limit to 30mph through the village. To reduce speeds to a level commensurate with this new speed limit, it is intended to provide speed cushions at regular intervals through the village.” How many times, by how many people, has it got to be said that trucks and buses speed through the village with impunity whilst people and the cars they ride in are suffering totally unnecessary and serious damage? The authorities continue to display total disregard for the views and safety of their constituents. These humps have got to go - waiting for another accident is not an option.

DONALD HARKER

Skeeby.