Clearly, any loss of ancient woodland (The Argus, December 17) is to be resisted with vigour but the protection of unique Titnore Wood west of Worthing is paramount.

While some woodland could be lost to housing, scores of mature oaks face chainsaws in order to widen Titnore Lane, which runs through the wood.

The lane (believed to be a prehistoric droveway), which has for decades been earmarked as a western ring road for Worthing, is likely to see a doubling of traffic from the 870 new houses planned for the area. But where will it all end?

Is the next vandalism a doubling of the Long Furlong through Clapham and across the Downs to the A24, thus joining the A259, A27 and A24 and effectively completing half a bypass for Worthing?

-Ian Brooks, South Coast Against Roadbuilding, Worthing