SIR – Re “This extra parking is increasing congestion” (October 5), isn’t Councillor Peachy telling us porkies?
He writes: “...closed the two park and ride sites which has caused an enormous increase in the volume of traffic, especially along the northern routes, both in the morning rush hour and in the evening too”. Isn’t that utter bilge?
With car drivers having to get to and from P&R, weren’t the effects of P&R on (rush-hour) traffic precisely zero? Given that both sites could “store” a maximum of 900 cars, wouldn’t that represent just 0.28 per cent of Worcester’s traffic? Did Cllr Peachy do the maths?
Besides our growing population, aren’t Worcester’s rush-hour traffic jams being made considerably worse by Labour’s legacy of P&R bus lanes, which have removed vast lengths of road carriageway from use by rush hour traffic, as recently published pictures in the Worcester News testify?
Moreover, with house building now a continual industry in our city, won’t the growing amount of concrete our councillors and MPs are determined to spread be making our traffic congestion worse and worse? If our traffic congestion is bad now what’s it going to be like when our MPs and councillors have built the SWDP and there are another 100,000 of us in Worcester, all trying to get to school and work at the same time?
N TAYLOR
Worcester

We did know what we
were voting for on EU
SIR – Save for one specific aspect, I can not recognise Wendy Hands’ description (Letters, October 14) of my earlier contribution.
This letter was intended to be fairly light hearted and I used the word “confused” because the thrust of her previous letter did not seem to match the evidence of her quoted source. Thus I also used “inadvertent”.
Where I plead guilty, without apology, to playing harder ball is in giving the lie to the frequent complaints of the EU-antis that we did not know what we were voting for 40 years ago. 
Indeed, this claim – now shown by Wendy Hands to be demonstrably silly (there I go again) – has been made numerous times on this page, often in quite strident language and it is a myth which needs to be exposed. 
Ms Hands, an anti herself, actually supplied the evidence,and I was delighted to see it – although I had to read her letter half a dozen times to make sure.
She comments about my past positions in public life and the way that I might vote. 
These are not secret but in any event have nothing to do with the case. Were I of a more sensitive disposition, they could be construed as “sneering”.
DAVID BARLOW
Worcester

White poppy for those
seeking end to wars
SIR – We shall soon be wearing red poppies as a tribute to those who sacrificed all in time of war.  They did so to achieve peace and we dishonour their memory if we fail to commit ourselves to seek permanent peace. That is what the white poppy means. The red and white poppies are complimentary: honour those who fought a “war to end wars” by a commitment to the peace they hoped for.  Winning a war seems to be easier than winning the peace.
Religious organisations and Christian CND should be able to supply white poppies and as there is no charity raising money you can buy one and keep it for life. Only wear your white poppy if you do not want future wars!
DEREK SPENCER
Kings Coughton

Funds from 10k run
are a boost to charity
SIR – May I thank the chairman and members of Evesham Vale Running Club and all those who took part in Evesham’s 10k Run and associated activities for their generosity in raising and donating £4,000 to Evesham Vale Cardiac Rehab.
A special thanks to Jill Moore and her team for organising and managing the event and for supporting this important local charity.  
EVCR does a tremendous job for people with coronary heart disease  to have the best possible help (physical, psychological and social) to preserve or resume their optimal functioning in society.
Our ambition is to expand the service to include other appropriate conditions and reach those at risk of heart disease.
GERRY O’DONNELL 
Chairman, Evesham Vale Cardiac Rehab

Thanks to everyone
who helped my father
SIR – I’d like to draw your attention to an incident the other day which showed there are still decent people around.
My elderly father tripped and fell over a paving slab in Malvern Link and within moments two couples raced to his aid.
Staff from Handyman House also came to help offering aid and a seat in the store whilst the emergency services were called.
The paramedic was also very professional and gave my father a thorough examination.
I would just like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, everyone who looked after my father in such a caring way.
C W KINSEY
Malvern