Sir – We keep on seeing repeat pictures of the proposed new layout of “The Cathedral plaza”. It all looks very glamorous, but what about the practicalities of the these changes.
The question I put to the planners is this, you enter Edgar Street, which is one way, to exit you have to travel down Kings St and turn left on to Sidbury, what way do we have to go, to go back up London road?
At the moment you travel to the roundabout and back up the other side of the dual carriage way, is this going to be possible when the changes that are brought about?
RAY HARBOURNE
Worcester

Goodbye to Foster’s champagne socialism
Sir – Michael Foster’s sudden emergence from his self-imposed obscurity since losing his seat in 2010 has probably been triggered by an opportunity to engage in his favourite version of hunting – bashing the Left in the Labour Party (Worcester News, August 4).
A forensic examination of his e-mail reveals a total absence of any discussion about policies. His piece is an accompaniment to the orchestrated vilification of Jeremy Corbyn in the Tory press.
Well, I have got news for Michael Foster: New Labour is dead. It had opportunities given to it by the electorate in three elections and threw them away. This is the Michael Foster who supported the Iraq War, the Trident nuclear fleet, foundation hospitals, student top-up fees, detention without charge, the private finance initiative, academies, a growing private sector role in the NHS, and ID cards. Never in his 13 years as MP did he utter a word of support for repealing Tory trade union laws, yet he was more than willing to accept campaign donations from the unions.
I shall never know how New Labour got away with not building enough houses in its 13 years, another issue on which Foster remained silent. Judging by the nominations for the party leadership, it is clear that most members seem to have learned a lesson, namely that loyalty belongs to the people you are elected to represent, not to your party.
Foster barely hides his preference for Liz Kendall. She received 18 nominations out of 397. The evidence is clear. New Labour is up a cul-de-sac. Anyone but Corbyn? I don’t think so. More like DEF: Dead End Foster.
PETER NIELSEN
Worcester


Corbyn has what it takes to lead country
Sir – I am not a member of the Labour party but the letter from Andrew Brown has much to commend it.
I am a keen student of political form and I made a tidy sum at 6/1 on the Tories getting a parliamentary majority.
My only regret is that I didn’t see Corbyn coming when you could have got 100/1!
Many years ago, through my membership of a trade union I had a vote in a previous Labour leadership election in the nineties. I voted for John Prescott on the even-then quaint, old fashioned, notion that Labour should be led by a socialist. The same applies today.
Finally, comparisons are being made with Michael Foot.
In my opinion, Corbyn is far more likely to prove himself and Labour electable.
CLIVE SMITH
Malvern

Sweden rejecting multiculturalism
Sir – I read that Sweden, particularly the beautiful tourist spot Malmo, is in the grip of a serious crime wave. Instead of being a multicultural paradise, Malmo is turning into a ghetto where native Swedes are very nearly in the minority.
There is a negative occurrence regularly in addition to the regular shootings, stabbings and arson attacks.
So commonplace are these that they do not even rate a mention in the English press.
The police force has admitted that it is severely understaffed and unable to cope with the volume of investigations underway.
One third of all officers are “on leave” suggesting the level of strain they are subject to.
Speculation that Malmo’s crime wave has anything to do with immigration and discussion thereon is “verboten”.
Sweden’s orthodoxy is apparently one of the most “suffocating” and strongly upheld belief systems in the world.
A growing number of Swedes are beginning to reject the status quo; the country now has one of the highest rape rates and a growing number of teenage gang-rape problems.
The Swedish Democrat party, an anti-immigration party which campaigns with the slogan “Keep Sweden Swedish” is set to be placed as Sweden’s third party suggesting that Swedes are desperate for change.
WENDY HANDS
Upton-upon-Severn

New dog waste bin is simply splendid
Sir – I hope you will print this letter expressing thanks to Pershore Town Council for installing a bin for dog waste by the entrance to the large field off Defford Road. What a splendid idea!
That area is used a lot – by local and visiting walkers, and by children – but for months it has been made very unpleasant by the many piles of dog waste and, even worse, bags of waste that people have abandoned.
It was rapidly becoming a disgrace to the town, but I am sure that the situation will now improve.
I hope dog-walkers will use the bin, and in doing so help to make the area nice again.
So once again, thank you Pershore Town Council.
M. FISHER
Pershore/Great Comberton

What’s the point in recycling bins?
Sir – Is there any point to the recycling bins in town – I missed the chap on the radio complaining about household recycling bins being contaminated by incorrect use.
On the council website, they are now saying to wash the bottles and yoghurt pots etc before putting them in the bin. How is this possible if you use the bins in town.
Are these bins just for show and it’s all going to landfill?
JENIFER SHORE
Worcester

A plague on all
wealthy people
Sir – 5am. Just had tin of Tesco baked beans plus mug sweet coffee.
When did any of our Caviar eating, vodka drinking, politicians last eat such humble food?
A plague on all wealthy people.
GEORGE COWLEY
Worcester