THE fact that a new school has been "cautiously" welcomed by county councillors implies how local democracy, and accountability, is being steadily destroyed.

Isn't it obvious, to most, that building another Tesco store, in St John's, will increase traffic substantially?

Isn't that the same traffic our councils are trying to reduce, by pointlessly spending millions on bus lanes and park-and-ride?

Doesn't that give everyone the impression our county council is incapable of "joined-up thinking", when it comes to development, and its consequential increase in traffic and pollution?

In addition to traffic, how many small businesses will be forced to close, as a consequence of having another Tesco and Sainsbury's in St John's?

What will happen to all those shop premises, in what is now a thriving "village in a city" if trade evaporates?

It seems to me that many of those shops will close and become derelict. Surely if St John's is to have a supermarket, that is a question, for the people of St John's to decide, rather than county councillors?

And if the people are to have their rightful democratic choice, is there any reason why it should be yet another Tesco store?

N TAYLOR, Worcester.