SIR – I would like to illustrate the need for Worcester to get its future sorted and made known to the wider world, instead of, as it seems, not constantly allowing the personal aspirations of council managers and their staff to hinder it. 
I recently heard a rumour that the company who own the Rover group, that’s the company who operate on the old Longbridge site, are looking to expand and are looking at various sites within a set distance of Birmingham. It seems Worcester has already been ruled out as a potential site because of incidents such as what we endured a couple of years ago when our central river crossing became unusable due to floods. 
However, I’m worried. As long ago as the early 1980s, this council was repeatedly told by union groups and business leaders that it needed to construct a dual carriageway around this city, along with two new bridges, St Peter’s having not been built at the time, to protect the city’s businesses and enable them to be proactive in conveying their products to their customers as well as ensuring their raw products arrived on time. 
It was stated that this policy would benefit not just companies in Worcester, but employers in other towns to the west of Worcester. Sadly, those calls have clearly been ignored and since then we’ve lost several huge employers with the loss of hundreds of jobs. 
Or as someone recently said to me, what if Kay’s still existed; it would now be completing with the major international online retailers and potentially employing several thousands of people, potentially here in Worcester. 
But we are in the sad situation, we can’t get the layout of one major road junction right, we are hoping a piece of paper keeps our central city bridge in place and open. It begs the question; how far forward do our city managers plan for? Or, as it is currently rumoured, is it the case that the vast majority of people in County Hall are only thinking of their own job preservation?
IVAN CARTER
Worcester

Alienation is not in any way a new thing
SIR – I was recently reminded of a speech given by Jimmy Reid when he was made Rector of the University of Glasgow in 1972 and felt compelled to share extracts from it. I think most readers of the Worcester News would agree Reid’s words are as relevant now as 44 years ago:
“Alienation…is the cry of men who feel themselves the victims of blind economic forces beyond their control. It’s the frustration of ordinary people excluded from the processes of decision-making.
“Real fulfilment for any person lies in service to his fellow men and women…Profit is the sole criterion used by the establishment to evaluate economic activity.
“Giant monopoly companies and consortia dominate almost every branch of our economy. The men who wield effective control within these giants exercise a power over their fellow men which is frightening and is a negation of democracy.
“The power of local authorities has been and is being systematically undermined. The only justification I can see for local government is as a counter-balance to the centralised character of national government.
“To measure social progress purely by material advance is not enough. Our aim must be the enrichment of the whole quality of life.’
NEIL LAURENSON
Worcester Green Party

It is the council’s responsibility
SIR – I was annoyed to read a recent statement from a spokesman for Worcester City Council with regard to the George Street/Tallow Hill canal bridge problems.
The anti-social behaviour is taking place in a “No-alcohol Zone” and should therefore be policed. It is not the responsibility of the Canals and River Trust and thus is a Council matter as a proportion of Council Tax funds our police force.
C D LEE
Worcester

Maybe they could cut their own waste
SIR – I heard on the BBC yesterday morning a suggestion that the over 75s should agree to pay the TV licence fee from which they are exempt.
What a nerve. There are many ways that they could cover this amount. Starting by a 20 per cent cut in fat cats’ salaries, starting with anyone over what the Prime Minister earns. 
Then cut by half the people due to cover the Olympics this year, and those who do go, a cheaper hotel. I am well over the  age for the free TV and I can afford to give my money to a charity of my choice, and certainly not to the undeserving wasteful BBC.
ROBERT SMALLMAN
Worcester 


I’ve found a mistake in the Worcester News
SIR – Do I get a reward for spotting the mistake in today’s Worcester News (January 28)?
The picture (above) in fact is of Overbury Church  a mile up the road.
IVAN STEELE
Kemerton

Just possibly, tougher penalties may work
SIR – Day after day, week after week, month after month your pages contain reports of theft, vandalism and assault.  
Why won’t the powers that be  hand out stiffer penalties to deter this continuous criminality?  
E FRYER
Bodenham