I READ with interest the letters from various readers (Shuttle/Times and News, September 5) relating to district traffic issues, and was surprised there were so few!

I need to say at the outset that I am the only non-Health Concern councillor sitting on the Highways Partnership Forum in Wyre Forest.

This is the august body that decides and recommends policy direction to the highways manager - or, indeed, lack of it at times!

I was extremely frustrated on the afternoon on August 30 when it took me all my local knowledge to drive between Harvington and Bewdley, a journey that lasted one hour and 10 minutes.

I rang the Highways Partnership Unit to register my disgust that on a busy Friday afternoon in Kidderminster we had Franche Road CLOSED, Comberton Road CLOSED, Hurcott Lane CLOSED and Marlpool Lane CLOSED. There were also traffic delays due to ongoing works on major roads around Castle Road, Stourbridge Road and Wolverley Road.

The purpose of the highways department is to co-ordinate the works programmes and bring as little disruption to townsfolk as possible.

I would suggest the HPU takes on the offer of help from Mr C George (Letters, September 5), who seems to have a vast amount of knowledge to offer the planners!

Incidentally, I tried to speak to the highways manager to register by frustration but he was unfortunately on a day's leave!

STEPHEN CLEE

Hop Pole Lane

Bewdley