• EVERY pedestrian should now carry a walking stick. I make this claim as London becomes increasingly over-populated.

Since being obliged to use one, I have found it useful in encouraging others to keep their distance, especially those about to walk into me while looking at their phones.

Also those walking with dogs on long leads, for they always seem to be heading straight for me.

There are now new hazards. Not just the pavement cyclists but also the skate-boarders and those riding scooters and e-scooters upon our pavements. Some even sail by staring intently into their phones!

Yet pavements were always intended for pedestrians to walk along in safety and security.

ANTONY PORTER, W9