‘Bridge proposals will turn A38 into race track’

I WAS delighted to see your headline in this week’s Standard about the A38 works.

We, the residents of Birmingham Road, Lickey End, have also sent a petition with 280 signatures to [email protected].

We oppose the intention to create a ‘race track’ with two lanes southbound and one lane northbound outside our homes.

It is very difficult to gain access to our own driveways, or to join the road from our homes now, due to the volume of traffic.

We have gained support from our Liberal councillors, Josh Robinson and Rob Hunter.

However Worcestershire County Council is determined to carry out this project at a cost in excess of £40million which they say is demanded by Highways England.

Several meetings were arranged last year, although these were buried in ‘plain sight’ on the council’s website.

We were informed this was not a matter for discussion at the last of the meetings at Avoncroft and was a foregone decision, notwithstanding any detail as to how this would be achieved.

None of the residents or anyone we have spoken to can understand how three lanes of traffic can be fitted into the existing carriageway.

When we asked this question of the planner involved, the response was a very pompous: ‘you would be surprised at what we can do!’.

We believe these works are intended for the vast housebuilding projects proposed for Bromsgrove, although it is blamed on traffic exiting the M42 at Junction 1.

Further to your article it would appear necessary for us to make a Freedom of Information request, although I would anticipate a response that no decision has yet been reached.

All of this is opposed to the council’s so called intentions for more cycling and walking routes to be provided.

Peter Keane

Birmingham Road

Bromsgrove

No-one will use controversial bridge

DO THE people of Bromsgrove really want our county council to spend over £6million on a footbridge that the vast majority don’t want?

I understand the policy of improving conditions for cycling and walking but every cyclist we have spoken to said they did not like footbridges.

All the pedestrians spoken to said they would not use it.

The length of the ramps would be equivalent to walking around an athletics track.

Metal steps to cut the distance would not be used by people with push-chairs, shopping trolleys, some dogs and the elderly – people would simply walk to the town via Stonehouse Road.

Just improve the existing footpath crossing which is useful to many.

The traffic stops every few minutes because there are traffic lights each end this section of the road.

Dozens of trees need not be felled and we would save over £6million from being wasted. Job done.

Heather Winspur

Warwick Avenue

Bromsgrove

None of the A38 changes have helped reduced traffic flow

I DO not live anywhere near the new proposed bridges over the A38 but it is quite clear the only ones who will get any real benefit are the owners of the old nursing home now being converted into who knows what as there are no signs.

Perhaps if we knew who owned the site we would find out the real reason for the bridge.

The one proposed bridge is a mere stone’s throw from an existing crossing so has no real benefit as people crossing from New Road will still use this crossing.

None of the so-called A38 improvements have had any real consequences on the traffic flow and are a complete waste of money.

Stuart Neal

Help for those grieving over lost cats

WITH National Grief Awareness Day on August 30, I’d like to highlight Cats Protection’s grief support service for cat owners.

Now in its fifth year, Paws to Listen is there for anyone facing the heartbreak of losing their cat, struggling with issues like euthanasia, or whose cat has gone missing.

It is a free and confidential service, connecting callers with a volunteer listener over the telephone or via email.

Pet loss is not always fully recognised in society as a significant loss, causing many to be reluctant to talk about their grief.

Additionally, Covid restrictions in the past year or so have often meant people could not be with their pets at the point of euthanasia, which has compounded people’s grief. We feel it is important to normalise pet grief and let people know they’re not alone and it’s okay to talk about it.

This year, our Paws to Listen service is being supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

I’d like to say thank you to them for their continued support, which is also helping us to take care of cats at our centres and speak up for cats through our campaigning work.

The Paws to Listen phone line – 0800 024 94 94 – is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Alternatively, people can get in touch via an online form at: www.cats.org.uk/grief

Catherine Joyce

Paws to Listen Team Leader

Cats Protection

EDITOR’S COMMENT

YOU HAVE to question Bromsgrove District Council’s decision to cancel the Sanders Park bonfire and fireworks and replace it with a four-day illumination show and autumn activities.

Whilst there are still new Covid cases and no-one can forsee what will happen between now and November 5, restrictions have been scrapped and there are less hospitalisations.

Judging people’s comments, many would prefer the traditional bonfire and fireworks and risk cancellation nearer the time than the certainty of the proposed alternative.

We welcome your letters….

What pressing issues do you feel need addressing in Bromsgrove, Rubery, Droitwich and South Birmingham? Send us your views to [email protected]