SIR – Some time ago I contacted the council asking why we had no third bridge to aid the city in case our main city bridge was to become unusable. The council replied saying that they had done all that was possible, as they had a report stating it was safe.
I’ve recently learnt that the authorities in the north had requested similar reports on many of their bridges, several of which,have now collapsed. The reason is basic common sense, these bridges cross water, water can do all sorts of structural damage and very quickly. Over the last decade or so, our rivers has flooded several times a year, basically because the river now needs to be dredged. 
If the central bridge here in Worcester was to collapse or become unsafe, this city and many communities between Worcester and the Welsh borders would financially suffer. Yet the people who run our city have not taken any action whatsoever to redress this situation.
Yet there’s talk of another footbridge, there’s also talk of changing kerb heights but there’s no talk of what will happen if we lose our city’s central bridge. 
If evidence was needed as to the need I suggest the council look back to a year or so ago when it took over an hour to travel two miles. In fact the council has clearly stated that because it has it head firmly placed in an inappropriate part of its corporate body it has no current plans or funds to increase the size of the bridge at St Peter’s, nor does it have any plans for a third bridge. 
I strongly believe we need to introduce a scheme where council managers who are earning over, say £60,000pa, stand for election every couple of years, as do our councillors, then perhaps our tax money would be better spent.
IVAN CARTER
Worcester

We should be putting our own people first
SIR – Britain reeled from savage government austerity cuts that caused mayhem and misery amongst the poor and low paid in the UK.
At the same time this country gave 31.5 billion to India, a country who within four years will overtake our economy. A country who lies back and gleefully accepts our cash.
The public knows we are slashing services for theBritish people to support foreign aid and governments. The people of these shores suffer whilst other people prosper.
A recent £30 million sent to Ethiopia when Carlisle and Yorkshire face devastation with the flooding. Time for a government re-think, or put a leader in that will put the British people first.
G B DIPPER
Leominster

Misleading robotic parking meters
SIR – After a car accident I was sent to see occupational health in Birmingham. I didn’t have enough change for the meter so I signed up to the mobile parking service. After what felt like writing War and Peace in binary by pressing 1 for this and 0 for that, I put in the area code 103 under the street name that was displayed on the meter.
When I came back I had a parking ticket stating if I didn’t pay £25 in 14 days I would need to pay double. You cannot pay on the day of your fine being issued, Between January 29, 2015 and January 14, 2016 I sent three emails, completed two web forms and an automated call, all with no reply.
Today I was informed that I need to pay as 103 was not the area code and that the district was stated to me in the robotic voice. Not knowing Birmingham I had no idea what district.
I’m annoyed the fine can double in 14 days but the council don’t respond in that time. How misleading the sign was and that I’ve now paid for parking but also have to pay the fine.
SAMANTHA STALLARD
Stourport-on-Severn

EU supporters should make more noise
SIR – A mini-avalanche! Owen Cleary (Letters, January 8) within one day of Wendy Hands, and both using the word “yawn”. 
Credit to Mr Cleary, though: at least he had actually read a salient point in my earlier one. For clarity, however, I think that it should be recalled that, in the two TV debates between UKIP’s Farage and deputy PM Clegg, it was widely accepted that, although Farage “won” the second one, it was him who was sweaty and nervous in the first, the one in which Clegg demolished the ‘75 per cent-of-our-laws-are-made-in-Brussels’ silliness. 
It all comprises a serious warning to those of a pro-EU position, though. There is much more “noise” (seemingly co-ordinated, and sometimes based on collusive myth and misunderstanding) from the Brexit-supporters, and there’s a risk that, although those who wish to thwart their out-campaign have a much more nuanced and balanced story to tell, they had better start telling it, or they will lose by default.
Crucially, they need to demonstrate an understanding of the difference between cost and value.
DAVID BARLOW
Worcester

What’s the score?
SIR – I have never seen an explanation as to what “score” means relative to the comments made on the web section of the letters page. Could you enlighten me and other readers who may be wondering?
SUE JOHNS
Ombersley
(Editor’s note: The score is the number of times the post has been given a positive vote by other readers of our site, so is a measure of its popularity.)

Buying tea will help
SIR, If I continue to buy tea and coffee, hopefully my money will help the starving tea-field kids out East.
GEORGE COWLEY
Worcester