WHAT an excellent and thought-provoking feature on street clutter (October 18).

So thought-provoking that I was noticing unnecessary street clutter for the rest of the day.

I was pondering English Heritage's assertion that most urban traffic lights are not necessary too at 6.30pm as the lights on East Mount Road turned green.

I stopped thinking about it quickly as the octogenarian couple in the green Skoda sailed serenely along Blossom Street straight into the front of my bicycle.

The driver was clearly indignant that I hadn't avoided him, and refused to acknowledge the crowd of about 20 pedestrians, all shouting that he had jumped two red lights.

He even set off again while his wife was getting out of the car, and had no idea that his left side panel had a healthy new dent.

I conclude that English Heritage are right. The only people traffic controls regulate are those who are safe and courteous enough to be trusted without them.

To the others it makes no difference whether they are there or not, so let's be rid.

Thanks are due to all those witnesses who offered their details. You know who you are, and I'm fine now thanks.

Andy Scaife,

Suffolk House,

Lowther Terrace,

York.

Updated: 09:15 Thursday, October 21, 2004