I HOPE it does not seem unduly ungrateful, or cynical, to comment on the timing of Buckinghamshire County Council's removal of foot and mouth restrictions on public footpaths.

I understand that all notices of closure were to be removed between May 29 and June 1 (and, yes, of course I shall be delighted to be able to start walking again thereafter).

Is leaving it until after the Bank Holiday weekend one last act of defiance against the Government, walkers and the rural economy?

No doubt the council will claim it did not have time to act more quickly after the latest Government advice issued on May 23, conveniently forgetting the speed with which the "keep out" notices were put up in February.

Of course, those nasty yellow notices were conveniently out of the way before the county council elections. Did the council's cabinet members really believe voters have such short memories that they will forget the two months of minimal action after the Government's advice on reopening paths?

John Esslemont

Lane End

High Wycombe