2 MAY 1969, Page 28

Keep it clean

Sir: Stephen Gardiner (18 April) is entitled to denigrate his own country as much as he likes, but he should get his facts right first.

`Since the French have discovered that it [lighting] reduces accidents . . .' The proved effect of good lighting on road accident reduc- tion was the subject of a paper read by Gran- ville Berry (past president, Institute of Public Lighting Engineers) to an all-party committee of the House, ten years ago, and praised in a Times leader.

`. . . strip lights at car height leaving Rome . . .' For the year 1967-68 Coventry was awarded 'First Place in Europe' in the internationa' competition for highway lighting, including, straagely enough, strip lights at car height.