I HAVE been reading your paper for the past couple of weeks and the various issues raised over the use of the Firs Estate by learner drivers.

It seems strange to me that householders on the estate believe that they can rid themselves of a perceived problem without caring about anyone else living in the borough. The learners will still be here in Redbridge but on other nearby roads.

I lived for many years on the Nightingale Estate which has many more learner drivers on its roads. They have the test centre carrying out the tests on this estate. I found most learners at least a lot more courteous than the more experienced driver/racers who used the estate as a rat run' from Hermon Hill to the High Street. They at least slowed down this traffic to the correct speed limit.

The Firs Estate want to remove all learners from their roads not just disperse them. It also seems to be that Mr JW Bailey's one main problem is that they slow him down. How quick does he want to go on the estate? Old people drive with more caution. Does he wish to also ban them so he can race to and from his house on the estate. Raymond Road to the High Road must be less than half a mile so by how much are they delaying him? About 30 seconds at a maximum.

E Smith, Yoakley Road, London N16.