SIR – The collapse of the Eastham bridge reminds me of an incident that happened in the 1970s, in the days of Hereford and Worcester County Council.

The toilets at Ledbury primary school were outdoors, and were often out of action in the winter, when the water was frozen. The solution was a Portaloo, but the problem was how to get it into the school yard.

Fortunately, the local councillor was one Wing Commander Cooney, whose career had included a period as air attaché in Washington. He used his contacts at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, and the result? A helicopter! The Portaloo was lifted up and placed in the school yard by the chopper, and the event was recorded, with pictures, in all the local papers. It was an excellent solution to the problem and reflected credit on everyone concerned, not least the RAF.

Now that the local MP Mrs Harriet Baldwin is at the Ministry of Defence, she is ideally placed to make similar arrangements for the Eastham bridge. A bailey bridge from the Royal Engineers, placed from an RAF helicopter, could at least provide a temporary solution to the Eastham problem, until such time as the county council provides a more permanent structure. At least a bailey bridge would save the residents a 20-mile detour, which they have at present.

David Withey

Malvern