WITH the help of Worcester News readers, we've put five key questions to the city's parliamentary candidates.

Independent candidate Mark Shuker talks to Political Reporter Tom Edwards with his responses.

How do we solve the city’s congestion problems?

I CAN’T help but feel the cost of buses being so outrageously high is making driving cars more competitive.

I have seen park and rides be hugely successful working in Warwickshire and clearly placed and accessible on entrances to principal towns and cities, with connecting buses being a more localised enterprise and much fairer costs.

We need to continue with work to encourage cyclists and to ensure pedestrian areas are inaccessible with the exception of out of hours commercial activity.

The southern link work needs to be completed. And I believe a northern link is long overdue.

What is your biggest concern for Worcester?

THAT the cash flow of the average resident is low, making the ‘liveable’ wage unachievable.

We must cut red tape for low to medium skilled manufacturers to come back to our city.

We must also ensure small enterprises and start-ups are given any help and support needed to get responsible plans off the ground.

Is the answer to Worcestershire Royal Hospital’s challenges an upgrade of A&E?

ANY experience I have with the hospital may be out of date.

But personally I feel the NHS should be publicly owned and not have large chunks of funding going to private investors or management.

And I feel the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) should not be part of the NHS System.

For profits only makes staffing overly competitive with excessive parking costs, and so on.

Is it worth campaigning over Worcester’s Northern Link Road?

I VERY much think a Northern Link is long overdue and should be campaigned for as a regional improvement.

I believe north Malvern, Herefordshire and Mid-Wales would benefit from a proper M5 J7 link to the Hereford road. It would ease the southern link and city roads.

Is there – and should there be – an alternative to the South Worcestershire Development Plan?

MY main concern is the power lines running so close to family homes.

I’d welcome anyone with concerns to get in touch and update me.