Another view on Orford Way

9:56am Tuesday 19th August 2008

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JULIAN Evans’ letter giving more background to the Orford Way controversy was interesting but does not change my opinion at all. In fact, it confirms my opposition to road closures.

Since the residents of that road obtained their restrictive order, car ownership has dramatically increased and there is a lot more pressure on our roads, particularly around Barnards Green. I believe that the frustration of many motorists at points of congestion is in itself a potential danger, so can we really afford the luxury of closing roads which are capable of easing the situation?

The idea that roads belong to the people who live along them is attractive to many, but not true. Legally they belong to the whole community for our general convenience. They certainly are no longer playgrounds.

Mr Evans’ reference to community is at variance with my definition; he asserts that it is the people who live on that road, whereas I believe that all of us in Malvern constitute the real community, A nice philosophical point for debate?

Who, then are the selfish ones? Those who drive along the roads or those who say not in my road?

Half of Malvern could be closed off if this idea were applied generally, so the nonsense is self-evident. Open them all up again and let us regard our townspeople as friends, not interlopers!

G T PARSONS, Croft Farm Drive, Malvern.