DEAR EDITOR -- With regard to the new car park at ASDA, Bromsgrove, which was described on the letter page of December 3, 2003 as "A big boost".

Having used it twice in the last week, I would prefer to describe it as an accident waiting to happen. It seems to have been inhabited by the towns male youth as a new venue for cycle and skateboard activities.

On the evening of Wednesday, November 26, I noticed two young boys cycling between the various levels and warned my husband to drive with caution as we departed. It was just as well that he heeded my advice, as a third youth came into the car park at full tilt, missing the bonnet of our car by only inches. Had we not been exercising additional caution the youth would undoubtedly have been injured if not killed.

Then, at about thee o'clock on Sunday, November 30, we made our second visit to the car park and counted fourteen youths riding skateboards on the upper levels and across the paved areas outside. I approached four members of staff at ASDA and suggested that they take action or inform the police before someone was injured or a car damaged. I was informed that they had no jurisdiction and had already contacted the police once, only to be told that they are also unable to act as the car park is council propety.

There are signs warning that CCTV surveilance is in operation. The signs obviously do not deter the Bromsgrove's boy racers, so do cameras actually operate and if they do what action do the council intend to ensure safety for all? And what of the parents of these youths? Do they have any idea where their children are or what they are doing?

How long until the first serious accident?

A Taylor

Bromsgrove

(by e-mail)