SIR – Speaking from experience, not from some cosy office at County Hall, when the main Worcester Bridge was closed due to flooding it was taking about 2 hrs 30 minutes to get from St John’s to the other side of the river using the Carrington Bridge, even longer in rush hour. 
If the Carrington Bridge is dualled, in theory it should take half that time, 1 hr 15 minutes. Does Mr Walker find this acceptable?
So if the main Worcester bridge were to get washed away like Mr Walker is suggesting or it is closed due to flooding again, which is inevitable, then basically the proverbial hits the fan once again and everything then grinds to a halt, back to square one. 
Everything Mr Walker has pointed out in this report is crying out for a third Worcester bridge and for the ring road to be completed, if Councillor Udall can see common sense then why can’t Mr Walker? 
When you live in St John’s at times of severe flooding it is not just a case of getting across the river, we are surrounded by flooding so you can’t actually get anywhere, I doubt very much if Mr Walker is aware of this fact. Mr Walker, please listen to common sense and lets put a plan B in place, because plan A will only work in a perfect situation when there are no roadworks anywhere in Worcester and there is no flooding, which is never the case.
JOHN MATTHEWS
Worcester

I’m sorry, I forgot about gullibility...
SIR – I was clearly in error responding to David Barlow as I omitted gullibility as one of his shortcomings. My reason? Mr Barlow’s response wherein he stated his belief in Nick Clegg’s whopping lies at last year’s TV debates. Evidently ignorant of former EU Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding’s assertions on the quantity and primacy of EU law in the UK, he labels fact as ‘absurd myth’.
The Europhile narrative of ‘we’re much stronger together’ in the face of facts to the contrary makes an interesting case study. Such stances appear articles of faith. Perhaps it’s the recycled socialist dogma in the ethos of the European federal project which the Left so readily identify with. 
It is no wonder. Leading figures from the French communist-led street riots of 1968 like Daniel Cohn-Bendit ended up as high profile proponents of European federalism. Jose Manuel Barroso, the former head of the EU Commission, was once a Maoist. Indeed, the EU’s institutions echo the old USSR’s governmental structure; the unelected, unaccountable Commission compares to the Politburo and the Supreme Soviet mirrors the EU ‘Parliament’. 
You might think I dramatise? In which case I urge readers to search online for academic and former Soviet dissident Vladimir Bukovsky. He presents a unique viewpoint of the EU and urges national independence and liberty, which some would seek to denigrate as ‘isolationist’.
The EU is a hindrance to us. We do not need it to be successful players on the world stage. 
JAMES GOAD
UKIP Worcester

Thanks for visiting our Christmas display
SIR – I would like to thank all the people that have come out this year to visit Santa’s Garden Xmas Lights Display at Rushwick and Catherine Phillips, your reporter, for her excellent features, also your what’s on page for advertising our event. 
This year we have done exceptionally well and raised a total of £875 for The Midlands Air Ambulance. Thank you all. Without your support this donation to this great service would not have been possible.
#Hope to see you all again in December 2016.
MICK AND NORMA GALE
Christine Avenue
Rushwick
 
Sainsbury’s provide a boost to the area
SIR – Those of us who supported Sainsbury’s in their application to build a branch at the junction of St George’s Lane North and Barbourne Road Worcester are now seeing the benefits. 
Already there are signs of other businesses taking an interest in the locality with the possibility of brightening up the area. 
The staff at the new branch are a credit to their employers,as without exception they have given exceptional service to customers generally and it is a pleasure to shop there.
PHIL PEGLER
Worcester

Dredging policy gets blame for flooding
SIR – So finally the truth is out, the floods in this country have nothing to do with climate change,the reason is that the European Union bosses have forbidden the UK to dredge its rivers!!
And for having to “obey” these barmy rules, we hand the EU £55 million a day. What is the matter with the Government of this country? They lie back and do nothing.
Why doesn’t the Government of the UK sue the EU for all the damage caused to so many peoples homes?? Does it not have the guts to do so?
Let us just hope that all those people whose Christmas was ruined will remember this when the EU referendum is set.
GB DIPPER
Leominster

Rats, yes. Politicos, no
SIR, I love both dogs and cats, Mr Phillpott (Worcester News, January 2), but we are not allowed to keep either in Rowan Court. I might get a canary (or a gerbil) in the near future, just for company. I love all wild life, even rats, spiders and mice.
It is mad politicians I am not so keen on.
GEORGE COWLEY
Worcester