I SEE from a recent report that the Chamber of Commerce believes we have a major problem in Worcester caused by traffic delays and congestion.

It believes that there is already a serious threat to the economic well-being of the city as well as considerable frustration for motorists and for public transport.

Do they realise that there was a vigorous and populist campaign in the city to oppose approval of the Northern Orbital Route?

This was given extensive coverage in your paper and it finally caused this project to be shelved by the county council to the huge delight of neighbouring towns who were actually vying for improvements to their traffic infrastructure.

As Chairman of the City Council Technical Services Committee in the early 1990s, I recall presenting the findings of the county council's transportation survey and emphasising the importance of the northern problem.

Readers may recall that the survey reached the conclusion that the construction of this route was vital and would reduce normal traffic in the city to the level now seen during school holidays.

This enthusiasm for obstructing progress, so typical of many in this city, was a massive "own goal" for Worcester.

It is with disbelief that I look back at my notes of this time and see the barrage of criticism to which I, and others were subjected for advocating support for this project.

It is now probably too late to regain our place in the queue for funds, but as we sit in the jams, we can, at least, console ourselves with the thought that it was our own choice.

CLIFFORD LORD,

Worcester.