Sir, - So Dick Roche (January 19th) challenges me to find evidence of posters, tree-top platforms and similar structures in any State forest other than the Glen of the Downs. Not possible, I'm afraid. That is not a sane wager. After all, the other State forests are not (yet) to be affected by a major road scheme.
I could however, take him for a walk through accumulated litter and detritus (in Ticknock/Three Rock, and many other places), mountains of mud where once were trees (Marlay Park, College Road), over a locked gate and up an almost impassable road (Knocksink, Enniskerry), over anti-traveller mounds and residual filth (Carrickgollogan). We would have to stay near the car park at Crone Wood, for fear of the window-smashers. Our State forests are sorely neglected and could do with a few sculptures, mobiles and tree-carvings (found wood only), never mind some friendly eco-warriors to assure us that they are valued, at least by some.
The answer to a highly dangerous piece of roadway is to improve signage, impose traffic calming, above all take measures to reduce speed. These have long been woefully inadequate at the Glen of the Downs. Now we are to have a faster roadway, with a greater volume of cars on it at any one time.
The "chattering classes" and the frustrated and inconvenienced tax-paying commuter on the Wicklow-Dublin road have a lot more in common with each other than Mr Roche may think. Many of them, like normal, sane people, go out for the odd walk. They also elect representatives to Dail Eireann. - Yours, etc.,
Jessica Classon, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.