• I HAVE recently noticed while cycling (which I have done in Camden for over three-quarters of a century) a number of places where a sign has been put up on a local road promising “diversion”.

I wish! What I remember as a diversion was when I queued from 6am to get a good grass seat to see a Lord’s Test match, muscular men would show how to wriggle free from a seemingly irresistible knot of heavy chains; or occasionally the diversion meant a Punch and Judy show – those were the days!

Maybe if the London mayor manages to slow traffic down enough to provide employment for displaced diversionists bearing red flags to saunter ahead of traffic, we will revert to such antique entertainments as were enjoyed by a more patient generation.

MALLORY WOBER
Lancaster Grove, NW3