Eileen Silverthorne, of Hameldown Way, Newton Abbot, writes:

Paul Fardon and Mike Pilkington make good and positive comments regarding the new shared cycle pedestrian path between Town Quay and Kingsteignton.

It really is a wonderful asset to our local community. We have watched it being built by workmen who braved terrible weather conditions to bring us the freedom and safety we can now enjoy. Please don't let us spoil it by thoughtlessness between users.

I would just like to say to Paul that a white line to divide the path is not the answer.

Paths divided in this way are now generally thought to be less safe, the reason being that no one pays attention to such rules and regulations.

A walk along the divided path nearby between Town Quay and Salisbury Road will soon make this clear to anyone using it. There have been many incidents of collisions on this path.

The shared path along Aller Brook is not divided and much safer for everyone.

I agree that dogs should be on a lead on the new section of pathway. I wouldn't want my dog to cause an accident to a cyclist but I'm afraid most cyclists just plough on regardless.

Why do they have to ride so fast? They never seem to travel slowly enough to see and enjoy the lovely surroundings.

In all fairness they are the ones on the wheels, wearing helmets and body armour whereas the tiny fast moving toddler has no such protection.

Cyclists should remember that until this path was opened up, people could walk in safety through our lovely tranquil Hackney Marsh which has now become a speed track for those cyclists who seem happy to plough through everything in their path. Some cyclists have taken to exercising their dogs without getting off their bikes to clean up after them. I saw two motor cyclists riding abreast on the Town Quay path on Easter Sunday. Yes it cuts both ways.

We all need to be aware of each other and watch out in particular for people who are blind or deaf or those who can't leap out of the way in a hurry. Share it and enjoy it.

Don't spoil it with white lines through our lovely countryside. We get enough of them on our roads.MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION