WORCESTERSHIRE'S most outspoken critic of the Southern Link Road has challenged highways chiefs to a public meeting, it has emerged.

Lisa Ventura has asked Jon Fraser, the county council's roads boss, to take part in a public Q&A over the Ketch roundabout saga.

The challenge by Mrs Ventura, a motorist who lives in St John's, follows serious criticism over the A4440 island, which has now had two lanes partly coned off after safety concerns from the public.

In her open letter she says "many motorists are at breaking point" and that people "need answers" over the roundabout, which is currently undergoing a safety audit and could yet have permanent changes.

Mrs Ventura, who has launched a pressure group called the 'Worcester Transport Forum' in response to the controversy, said: "I would like to assure you that the intention is not for it to be negative, or a slanging match or a 'have a go' type meeting.

"It is a meeting to provide the public with the chance and opportunity to have their say at a time when many motorists and members of the public are at breaking point with what has been happening, and a chance and opportunity for highways to present responses and put across their side of the story to a public that has many questions and who need answers."

In the letter, which was also sent to chief executive Clare Marchant, she states: "Please be assured that my intention isn't to 'cause trouble', but to be a conduit to help the public gain answers to questions such as how long will the safety audit last, why was this obvious flawed design allowed to make it past the drawing board and what effect if any will it have on the remaining work on the link road."

She also told Mr Fraser, who is the council's highways manager, that "public confidence in the highways department is at an all-time low".

No date or venue will be announced yet until the council comes back with a response.

Today, a spokesman said: "We have been approached regarding a proposed public meeting and will respond to this request in due course."

The Ketch island's exit for Carrington Bridge was partly coned off last Friday after a Facebook video showing drivers braking harshly in the merger lane was viewed 81,000 times.

And nearly 1,300 people have signed a petition calling for changes to the new-look £8 million Ketch layout, which is part of a £41 million link road dualling project.