Editor,

Aberystwyth has a history of going against national or international trends. I refer to the banning of the film Life of Brian and also the fact that Ceredigion voted to Remain in the EU whilst Wales voted to leave.

Now Aberystwyth is doing it again, namely when the whole world is screaming for trees to be planted, we are cutting them down, I refer to Nant yr Arian and Hafod. Whilst I acknowledge that reasons have been given for these examples, no such excuses are possible for the latest rumoured deforestation, by this I mean the proposed cycleway/pavement from IBERS to Penrhyncoch village, a distance of about one mile.

Apparently it is quite likely that about half a mile of well-established hedging will be removed, a cycleway/ footpath installed and a new hedge planted three metres from the road.

The obvious question is, why not have the footpath on the other side of the existing hedge? Thus saving the hedge, a considerable amount of money, and having the pavement shielded from the fast and sometimes heavy traffic.

I have also been led to believe that the plan will be to cross this road three times to join the village with the recently built pavement from Bow Street.

How many parents will let their children use it? Also how long before there is a serious accident?

But speed cameras may be an answer, although it would be again simpler and easier to keep the path on the south side of the road and only cross at IBERS, more money and safety saving measures.

Hopefully sense will prevail and IBERS will live up to its name and protect the environment.

Ian Pidgeon, Penrhyncoch.

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