WORCESTER’S MP has defended a questionnaire sent out to people asking for their views on controversial travel options that he thinks will tackle traffic congestion in the city.

Mike Foster said there was nothing against the law in seeking people’s views on subjects such as the possibility of completing the north-west bypass around the city or the idea of introducing congestion charging.

His words came after the Claines Action Group, which campaigns against the construction of the north-west bypass, said Mr Foster was “cherry-picking options and herding people towards a massive road building project.”

Spokesman Terry Sims said: “Nowhere in his letter and questionnaire has he even mentioned the environmental destruction of open countryside around north-west Worcester, nor the inevitable housing and industrial infill that will follow the completion of this road.

“He should give residents the full facts and planning options before trying to gain a foothold on planning policy.”

Worcestershire County Council has already lodged a £187 million bid for transport improvements up to 2016. The dualling of the southern link road and building a new bridge over the river Severn running from Tybridge Street to Castle Street have been included but the north-west bypass has not.

Mr Sims said that was because of the impact it would have on junction six of the M5, which is already operating at capacity.

Mr Foster said he acknowledged all of the options in his covering letter to residents and said there was widespread support for the dualling of the southern link road.

He also said he thought building a new bridge in the city centre was not a sustainable option which is why he was seeking people’s views on the bypass.

“I’m genuinely trying to get a feel for what the people of Worcester want,” he said.

“I’m there to represent my constituents, not officers, and sometimes what I find out by engaging with people is awkward for them, but that’s life.”

Mr Foster said judging by the responses to his questionnaire so far, the majority of people wanted to see the completion of the ring road.