SIR – I have repeatedly warned the Conservative administration at County Hall that their proposal to dual track the Southern Link Road would be a waste of money.
It would just provide more spaces for traffic congestion and queues.
Not even tinkering with the traffic islands would prevent the road from becoming an expensive car park.
The solutions do exist and have been advocated for more than 20 years, but successive administrations at County Hall have ignored them for political reasons.
Firstly, complete the ringroad, provide a second river crossing to the north and link Worcester’s westside to junction 6 of the M5.
Secondly, invest in public transport, making it affordable and reliable.
Thirdly, establish park and ride sites (road and rail) in St John’s and Malvern.
We want to attract more industry and jobs to St John’s, if the routes out are blocked the plan for growth will be suffocated.
The completion of the ringroad would relieve the capacity on the Southern Link Road, take through traffic out of St John’s and bring economic development back in to the area.
The Conservatives at County Hall have even refused to support a Labour proposal to ask the Government for its help to build such a road. They are obsessed with dual tracking the wrong road.
Unless and until they stop their obsession, St John’s will continue to choke, growth will be stunted and congestion will continue to grow.
It is time for them to face the facts and start supporting a radical transport policy.
RICHARD UDALL
City and county councillor
(Worcester St John’s)
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