SIR – The Yew Tree Hill development in Droitwich together with the Copcut development will cause gridlock at peak times but our planners know best. When it does they will trot out the usual excuses and I am sure they will as normal learn from their mistakes, but by then it will be too late.
PAUL CHANDLER
Droitwich

Why shouldn’t the refugees be helped?
SIR – Carl Mason has expressed concern that there are organisations out there sign posting advice to refugees about the benefits system in the UK. Our welfare system, one our ancestors could be proud of, was intended to wage war on the “giant evils of squalor, ignorance, want, idleness, and disease”. I fail to see why it should worry people that charities, organisations, and individuals provide advice to those still experiencing those evils.
It is right that only once an asylum seeker has been granted permission to stay can they seek employment. Until then, they are reliant on what they can get from the benefits system. For example, a single parent with a 16-year-old child might receive as much as £87.43 per week, less than two-thirds someone on income support would receive.
Unsurprisingly, given the level of financial assistance they receive, the majority of asylum seekers are housed in the worst housing stock. Is it any wonder that they will seek advice regarding housing?
So far, eighteen universities have pledged a total of £1.5 million for bursaries over the next two years. Assuming that all bursaries are equal that provides 60 refugees a university place, 30 a year. Let’s put that into perspective, 30 students equates to less than 100th of 1 per cent of the 494,100 students UCAS had placed by the end of August this year.
What would BNP have us do? Ignore the humanitarian crises taking place, in part because we have done nothing but interfere in Middle Eastern politics for over 100 years?
ROBYN NORFOLK
Worcester

More to life than this Beacon cable car
SIR – Although I am not a supporter of the suggested cable car to the top of the Beacon, an even more hare-brained scheme has occurred to me. 
How about re-instating the rail link between Great Malvern and Upton with a shuttle service between the two? This would link two rising cultural centres to the benefit of both. A new station at the Three Counties Showground would be perfectly possible and could greatly relieve the road congestion in that area provided, of course, that adequate free car parking was made available at Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Upton. A halt at Clive’s Fruit Farm might also be an attractive proposition.
I admit that I haven’t thought this through properly and there may be many objections on the grounds of the cost and difficulty of diverting around developments that have taken place on this route, not least the re-installing of a bridge under Peachfield Road (unless the necessary junction could be moved nearer to the tunnel).
There are so many considerations that would need to be taken into account but I thought I might as well throw this in, if only to make a change from the gripes about dog mess, bikes on the Hills, planning and the cable car!
DAVID JONES
Malvern


We need to defend our cultures and customs
SIR – How offended people must feel after reading about RAF serviceman Mark Prendeville being “hidden out of site “ in a Margate hospital, because his uniform might offend others.
Since when have establishments such as shops, pubs,cafes and now hospitals had the right to judge what offends others? Can you imagine the uproar if this had been a woman dressed in a burka? It’s about time our leaders stepped up and defended the cultures and customs of this country and ask anyone who doesn’t like them, to leave.
Anyone offended by our servicemen has no business being in an NHS hospital receiving free medical care, as they’re not offended by the free health care, schooling and housing and benefits they get.
GB DIPPER
Leominster

Don’t blame the postie
SIR – Re: Mr Presley and his problem with his post being delivered. I suggest he talks to his post man and ask him what changes have taken place at his depot. He would not then blame the postie he is only the end product of cost-cutting and privatisation. Think about it Mr Presley.
SHEILA GARNER
St John’s

Sauce not the same
SIR – I don’t often agree with N Taylor but his comments (Worcester News, September 30) regarding Worcestershire Sauce are spot on.
I too am of an age that I can remember what the taste used to be like. It’s probably “elf & safety” being worried about it’s original strength. Dyson Perrins must be spinning in his grave.
CLIVE SMITH
Malvern

Upset over cricket
SIR – I am gutted (as teenagers say) that Worcestershire cricketers are heading back to Division Two (Dave Bradley, September 18).
Up Worcestershire!
GEORGE COWLEY
Worcester