I READ with some amazement the small article on Page 7 of your January 1 edition concerning the safety of the A49 at Moreton-on-Lugg.

Despite more than 55 years of heavy driving I find that I know very little of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and still less about the office of “Chief Observer “ quoted in the story.

Does this organisation have any official recognition? Is their “Chief Observer” qualified and entitled to make such bold pronouncements that the road is safe – these are matters, which are, very sadly, truly cases of life and death? The two recent tragedies do not stand alone, two other fatalities have occurred in recent years on this very stretch of road, one only feet away from the first motorbike accident, all within earshot of each other.

It seems to me that the “Chief Observer” has fallen into the same trap as so many others. The road looks safe, but it has certainly proved to be anything but.

It curves, dips, has blind spots and is very heavily used. It has five joining junctions and nowhere to safely overtake. Good and decent people are dying on the A49, not just at Moreton-on-Lugg. Take a look at Dinmore Hill, it is a real and urgent problem, far outweighing a few empty shops in High Town or who scores what in the political game in Herefordshire Council.

Is anybody going to do anything about it?

PAUL YOUNG St Andrews Close, Moreton-on-Lugg