Having worked for over 40 years mainly in the CBD, I was most distressed to read in The Courier August 17, about the impractical suggestion to reopen Bridge Street to traffic.

I began working in Bridge Street in 1979, two years before the street was closed to traffic.

Trams, cars and parking caused chaos and delays to traffic flow.

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I was President of The Bridge Mall Traders Association for several years after the mall opened and I only remember members' satisfaction at having no traffic.

It is still a major part of Ballarat's CBD and has adequate parking.

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With more cars on the road now in Ballarat, the mind boggles at the potential traffic problem.

I know Council is encouraging the development of shopping areas on the outskirts of town, but we still want a CBD which people want to shop in.

Anne Smail, Alfredton