IT was with some interest that the Parish Council viewed the article in the Redditch Advertiser (July 11) concerning the letter to Warwickshire County Council by MP Jacqui Smith calling for a reassessment of Studley bypass options.

Does Ms Smith not realise that £80,000 was spent by Warwickshire County Council appointing Halcrow Fox to undertake an independent study on the traffic problems in the Studley area?

After much discussion and a public consultation two options are to be put forward to WCC to discuss in further detail, those being Option 2 (Western Bypass) and Option 3a (Eastern Route).

To "muddy the waters" by supporting Option 9 at this stage is most unhelpful.

Option 9 would only be a partial solution and offer no relief at all to Coughton and Kings Coughton.

Traffic calming would also have to be implemented in Studley as, if traffic is busy on the section around Studley then drivers would end up using the existing A435 through the centre of the village as a 'rat-run'.

The parish council is of the belief that only Option 2 gives relief to residents of both Studley and Redditch as Option 3a would only be of benefit to through traffic.

As stated by Ms Smith Option 9 would be cheaper to implement but in this climate of "best value" cheapest is not always the best.

Following the public consultation, this route had the most votes against as it would cross the well-used amenity land known as The Park.

In addition, it would separate the church from the village as well as crossing the River Arrow flood plain.

Studley Parish Council

Bell Lane

Studley