I recently cycled over the New Forest from Linwood to cross Ocknell Plain towards Fritham.
I was surprised to find a new surface to the road, of the grainy type that we cyclists know costs us 2- 3mph off our speed for the foreseeable future, with consequent loss of pleasure – but I was philosophical about this.
However, I was then really disappointed to find that in doing this job, council operatives had deleted several historic road markings on Ocknell Plain. There have always been a measured mile and measured kilometre markings at the side of the road where it ran straight along the old Second World War airfield towards Janesmoor Plain, and these have been now lost.
This is a scandal, and I hope Hampshire County Council can find some way of reinstating such marks on the road in the near future. Does anyone else feel as I do?
ALAN DOEL, Salisbury.
