My wife and I are frequent visitors to Exmouth. We usually come and stay three or four times a year, and also enjoy day visits, which we can easily make by train.

My wife and I are frequent visitors to Exmouth. We usually come and stay three or four times a year, and also enjoy day visits, which we can easily make by train.

We take an interest and enjoy keeping up with events in the town, especially through the pages of the Exmouth Journal.

Recently, we have become increasingly concerned with the wisdom and safety of the marked cycling portion of the Esplanade pavement.

At busy times, there is scarcely sufficient room for pedestrians. A number of cyclists we have encountered are arrogant and aggressive if pedestrians stray into the cycle lane; they cycle as if they have a singular right to do so, with no consideration for others, and cycle at speeds which are unregulated and far too fast for where they are riding.

Several seafront shelters front on to the cycle lane. This is particularly dangerous when young or elderly get up and walk straight into the path of an oncoming cyclist.

Children from an early age are taught to stay off the road and walk on the pavement, where they are taught it is safe to do so. Permitting cycling on the pavement, therefore, is both contradictory and dangerous.

Cycling is usually forbidden for very obvious safety reasons in pedestrianised shopping streets, yet the council responsible thinks that, on The Esplanade, visitors (who make a significant contribution to the local economy) do not merit the same care.

It is time that this ill thought out scheme is abandoned, and The Esplanade pavements restored to their rightful users - pedestrians.

On two separate visits last December, we notice that the seafront lights are in a poor state of repair, and read that financing The Strand redevelopment (rather overdue, particularly the abused thatched shelter) may mean cuts to tourist expenditure, including gardens and cleansing.

Exmouth relies on its visitors, who contribute significantly to your local economy.

Your elected councillors should remember that their continued tenure depends on their popularity with those who elect them, and a good proportion of those electors are dependent on the attractiveness of Exmouth to its visitors and their contribution to the local economy.

We have written to Exmouth Town Council, East Devon District Council and Devon County Council to share our views with them and seek their comments.

Mr and Mrs M J White,

117 Coleford Bridge Road,

Mytchett,

Camberley, Surrey.