I wish to respond to letters from David Hughes (‘Good servants but bad masters’, Opinion, October 15) and Michael Clary (‘Schools need to be where the need is’, Opinion, October 15).

Mr Hughes bemoans cars because of congestion and air quality. But his way, with road closures and other measures to impede traffic flow, will create it. If he wishes to live in a cul-de-sac, he is free to move to one. We who are happy living on through roads and in estates with multiple access points should not have someone else’s idea of nirvana forced upon us.

Mr Clary does not want a primary school built on derelict land near his home, stating there is no need for one in the area. I can assure him that just across The Bourne from his own manor, there is a desperate need. Enfield Borough Council has ruled out the Minchenden site as inappropriate for a mainstream school.

Bearing in mind that the Lakes and Meadway Estates are fully developed, with no possible new school site, is he suggesting that those of us living in those poorly served parts of the borough, should be forced to drive our children to school in far-flung places twice each day, much to the distress of thousands, including me as a parent and Mr Hughes, a tireless environmental campaigner?

Paul Mandel

Ulleswater Road, Palmers Green