TORY MP Robin Walker’s opposition to bus lanes in Worcester puts him in direct conflict with the long-standing policies of the Conservative leadership at County Hall.

Good. It is gratifying to see the city’s MP showing some independent thinking and listening to the views of his constituents.

It seems Mr Walker’s intervention at government level, added to some substantial public opposition, has put the final nail in the coffin of the Bromyard Road bus lane scheme.

In this period of public sector austerity, we agree with Mr Walker that the millions earmarked for the scheme could be better spent elsewhere.

It is clear there were few people outside County Hall who supported this particular project.

If the county council has indeed listened to the views of the public then it would be churlish not to praise them for doing so.

Perhaps this is an early sign of the new age of people power promised to us by the coalition government.