REGARDING the plans for the Mill Lane Development in Bromsgrove the suggestion to close the pedestrian crossing from 'ASDA' car park, (Bob Stather's letter of last week), is only practical for agile pedestrians, and even they have a reluctance to use footbridges high enough to allow double deckers to pass beneath them.

Consider the number of people now seen to stagger across here due to age and infirmity, who would find it impossible to walk up and down numerous steps, especially with shopping bags in hands which otherwise would be firmly gripping handrails.

Those confined to wheelchairs would need a gentle ramp, and their minders would be exhausted by pushing up, whilst others would be at risk of injury if the chair was to run away in such a busy pedestrian area.

The 'ASDA' car park has the majority of disabled parking spaces in this town of elderly residents. As a driver with a normal degree of patience, I have no problem with the present crossing, even if there is a frequent use by pedestrians. There are countless town centres with much more delay for drivers.

This crossing has a well-timed lights sequence helped by the recognition of absence of vehicles waiting to exit the bus station service road.

Anyone favouring raising a crossing above street level should remember that they too will gradually lose their muscle power in time.

John Cawthen

Bromsgrove