COUNTY Councillor Bob Bullock's suggestion (Evening News, November 10) that a shuttle train service could be run between Henwick Halt and Foregate Street station during floods has rightly been dismissed as unworkable and "not cost effective" by an officer of the city council.

Naive as Mr Bullock's idea may be, it should not obscure the longer-term case for the development of an effective light rail or tram system, which could link Malvern and the west side of Worcester, not only to the city centre, but also to the proposed Worcester Parkway station at Norton.

Given that road traffic congestion is likely to grow to even more unacceptable levels in the years ahead, a rapid transit system of this kind, with possible links to Kidderminster, Droitwich and beyond, would make a great deal of sense.

As a member of Worcestershire County Council, which has a statutory responsibility for improving the quality of public transport in the area, Mr Bullock is better placed than most to propose effective action to improve the county's transport infrastructure.

However, who will pay for the improvements that are necessary? His main drawback is that, as a Conservative, he is a member of a party committed to reducing public expenditure rather than seeking ways to improve the quality of life for everybody.

DAVID CANDLER, St John's, Worcester.