These are all the letters the Bucks Free Press published this week.

If you would like to write us a letter, email bfpletters@newsquest.co.uk or send it to Bucks Free Press, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, Loudwater, HP10 9TY.

Junctions need better road markings

The article in the BFP last week (November 1, ‘Roundabout argument rumbles on’, page 11) regarding lane markings at the Abbey Way gyratory struck a chord with me.

I often use this route, sometimes toward Marlow Hill or maybe towards the flyover and do find that drivers just can’t do the right thing without arrows to guide them, this is often the case in such scenarios and the roundabout at the A404 on the Amersham by-pass is another classic example. Travelling towards Hazlemere from Chalfont at the bottom of Gore Hill it goes from two lanes but immediately down to one on the exit, I can almost guarantee a conflict with another vehicle trying to enter the single lane.

Why, I ask, don’t the transport department give a clear indication with arrows on the carriageway to remove any doubt as to the correct lane to be in?

In the case of the A404 the right hand lane should be marked with a right turn arrow and the left lane with left and straight on arrows this would eliminate the conflict, the same would apply to Abbey Way, the right hand lane should be right arrow, the left lane straight on and the middle lane straight on.

I would say no to turning right from the centre lane as it puts you in conflict at the next mini roundabout for drivers going left towards the flyover.

As most drivers have only ever taken the basic driving test their driving also stays at that basic level too - extra post-test driving tuition as is available through various bodies, most notably IAM Roadsmart (The Institute of Advanced Motorists) and ROSPA.

They will teach a driver the finer art of driving a motor vehicle and in turn give them the knowledge of what appropriate lane to take on any given road junction that don’t necessarily have arrows to show them.

Until many more drivers bother to take these voluntary tests we will continue to get these arguments or conflicts on our roads - all the more reason why the authorities should ensure that these grey area junctions don’t exist.

Surely we can afford to paint a few more arrows on the roads, motorists pay enough through taxes to justify it.

Roy Craig, Hazlemere

Autism book gives a unique insight

I was particularly interested in Dame Cheryl Gillan’s recent article in the Bucks Free Press (‘Dame Cheryl launches autism 10-year review’, page 21, September 20) regarding autism as my husband has a relative (Matthew) with Asperger's syndrome which was not diagnosed until the age of 28, after a hard fight by his family to obtain a diagnosis.

I was minded to send you a copy of Matthew's book of poetry, which, with the help of his parents has recently been published.

This gives a unique insight into the many difficulties and emotions he experienced as a child and young adult and the foreword by his father is particularly poignant.

The coloured designs including cover are also by Matthew. You will read of his talents, noted on the back cover, and he has passed music examinations up to Grade 6.

It would be good for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism and maybe others who have an interest in this subject to know about this book, Uncovering Autism by Matthew Ansell ISBN no. 978-1-7822-642-0), which would surely give all concerned a deeper understanding of those on the autistic spectrum.

By pure coincidence I recently met in a motorway service station, the parents and one son of a family of three autistic sons. They told me how their lives have been a real struggle, having had little help from the authorities and one could see and feel how frustrated and worn out they were, just by this brief encounter.

Dorothy Large, address withheld

The devastation of domestic abuse

Monday, November 25, is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and it is both a local and a national issue which we should all be aware of.

After more than three years of Brexit debate and stagnation, the country is counting the cost in myriad ways. One key example is the Domestic Abuse Bill, which has had all party support in Parliament, but which has fallen by the wayside, a casualty of the unlawful proroguing of Parliament and then the election.

On average, two women are killed by their partner or former partner every week in England and Wales.

A recent report from Women’s Aid, the national (and local) domestic abuse charity, makes clear that there is a dire shortage of women’s refuges and alternative accommodation, with the result that affected women often face the appalling choice of either continuing to live with their abuser or homelessness.

Campaigners are critical of the Bill, which falls well short of what is needed to reform housing law in order properly to protect victims of domestic abuse.

Crisis, the national charity for the homeless, has emphasised the need for such victims to be treated as a priority need by local councils.

Absent Brexit, no doubt the Bill, with appropriate amendments, would have reached the statute book some time ago, along with other much needed legislation.

If Brexit has been frustrating for the population as a whole, it has been devastating in its impact on some of the most vulnerable in our community. The sooner we can stop Brexit and get the country back on track, to tackle the country’s most pressing problems, the brighter the future will be.

Dan Gallagher, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Amersham and Chesham

Let’s put the pride back in Wycombe

I read with great interest the letter (November 1) by Willie Reid regarding the improvements that Wycombe District Council have put forward for the centre of High Wycombe and also the fact that we are desperate to have a High Wycombe Town Council.

The improvements I believe, are long overdue.

I've always lived in High Wycombe and not that many years ago, it was a place to be proud of with a vibrant street market, a rich heritage and highly distinguished industrial record.

Indeed, it was always said that every home in Britain had at least one piece of furniture that was made in High Wycombe. It's sadly a very different story today.

Whilst we were collecting signatures for a petition to try and establish a Town Council, I was deeply saddened by the reply we got to one question we were asking, namely: 'Do you live in High Wycombe?'

'No, thank God I don't!' was a reply we received in more than one instance.

Only today, while a group of us were having a conversation about the state of High Wycombe, some people that live in Hazlemere described it as being 'near Amersham.'

Another lady said that she lived in Tyler's Green, 'near Beaconsfield.' and the biggest insult I felt, was when somebody else said that they lived in Booker, Marlow(!) - all the above responders deliberately seeking to distance themselves from the town.

I think that one massive improvement would come if we could reopen the river from near Aldi to the fire station. Once we had a river before they drove it underground.

The River Wye is known as a chalk stream, a type that is very rare and furthermore I believe that half the world’s chalk streams are located in the South East of England so the river should be doubly cherished and preserved.

I feel very sorry for a fellow councillor, Hugh McCarthy, who has spent almost decades in producing feasibility studies, costings and quantification and who has additionally visited several towns and cities where this exercise has been carried out.

Of course, when the river was buried under the town centre and the fly over was constructed in the 1960's, concrete was king; the material of modernity.

Although the cost to reopen the river would be in the region of some three million pounds, it is estimated the return ratio back into the economy would be approximately seven to one.

If I could have Christmas wishes, it would be that we could spend this money that WDC has proposed on the centre of the town, that the river could be reopened and most importantly, that we could have a town council.

Let's put the pride back into High Wycombe!

Cllr Brian Pearce, Booker and Cressex ward, Wycombe District Council

Keeping alive the art of handwriting

Today, slowly but surely, handwriting of any shape or form is dying out. In a society where everything is sent or recorded electronically, it is no longer the norm.

But how wonderful it is when someone sends you a card or letter in perfectly formed writing! I will always enjoy writing letters to keep in touch as the years go by and keep alive a lost art.

Rose Whitehead, Chalfont St Peter

BBC licence needs to be scrapped

I felt that I had to write regarding the BBC scandalous idea to make the over-75s pay for their TV licence. The BBC should be made to pay for the running cost of funding the BBC programmes. Maybe then they would not throw away the millions that they make from the general TV licence payers by being more frugal, economical with all the millions that they make.

We all have to be more wary with our finances – so should the BBC. There are lots of ways the BBC could cut back. The main point is not pay such outrageous salaries to the wealthy celebrities, plus other money-wasting ideas. I hear that the BBC is planning to spend £100 million on an advertising campaign to attract younger viewers – what a load of rubbish.

All the money the BBC is raking in must be burning a hole in their pockets. The BBC need to pay their own way – most licence fee payers have to. Most would not mind having adverts on the BBC – then we would not have to pay for a licence for BBC channels. It all must change now. There are more repeats than ever, every day. The BBC is no longer value for money and has not been for many years.

All my family and friends plus neighbours agree totally with the contents of this letter.

Mr B.S. Mintz, Bourne End