I ADMIT to being bemused that Cllr Osborne chose to clarify my recent comments through the pages of the Penarth Times rather than by speaking to me at one of the many council meetings we both attend.

I was asked by the Penarth Times for my views, so I gave them.

At no point did I connect the current levels of traffic congestion with the lack of a traffic management plan for the town centre.

We are both aware that such a plan is in development by the traffic officers of the council, with whom I have frequent conversations.

And at no point do I criticise the efforts of those officers who struggle to find solutions to the problems without sufficient funds.

My concern is the lack of a comprehensive and cohesive traffic management strategy for the Penarth area.

Talk to anyone in Penarth and the main topic of conversation is traffic.

Traffic was a major issue at the "state of the area" meeting in the Paget Rooms last year and continues to be so.

Traffic problems affect us all. We are not just talking Windsor Road - Redlands Road and Barry Road are also at a standstill.

The Marina is used as a "rat-run" by many trying to escape the queues. How long will it be before Llandough is also completely clogged?

Between 7.30am and 9.30am it can take over 30 minutes to get out of Penarth.

Parents trying to get to work after taking their children to school are finding onward travel impossible.

Those with hospital appointments have to leave home hours before.

And what about our young people, walking to school along roads where the levels of traffic pollution regularly exceed legal limits?

At the moment I can only see it getting worse.

We already know that the new interchange at the Baron"s Court will not cure the problem - and yet the Cogan Hall Farm development is not yet complete and the Penarth Heights will add 450 extra properties.

Our town is being choked - socially, environmentally and economically by traffic and its effects.

How can a council that states a commitment to sustainable development let this happen?

I"ll continue to ask for answers.

Lis Burnett

Vale councillor for St Augustine"s ward