I HAVE lived in Evesham now for nearly 20 years and witnessed the traffic congestion in and around the town go from bad to intolerable.

I was incensed at Councillor Marc Bayliss’ comments in the Journal (August 8) when he said he was aware and concerned about traffic in Evesham with its narrow roads and limited river crossings.

These issues have been a problem for the 20 years I’ve been here and probably well before that too.

These problems have only got worse as more and more housing is built.

With an ever-increasing population the roads have stayed the same.

Why oh why has the old Co-op site and car park been used for so many retirement flats right up to the edge of Swan Lane when the road could have been widened to allow two-way traffic along there.

This would allow local traffic to turn from the High Street and avoid the congestion further along going over the new bridge at Abbey Road.

This section of road will only get worse when the new housing on Abbey Road is up and running.

My anger is at Cllr Bayliss, who is a cabinet member for highways and transport at Worcestershire County Council, because his answer to Evesham’s traffic nightmare is delivering a number of active travel schemes in the town, including several footway-widening schemes to promote shared usage for walkers and cyclists, and the new Hampton pedestrian and cycle bridge to improve walking and cycling opportunities in Evesham.

So his answer is not to sit in your car for hours trying to get home or back from a shopping trip with your groceries but to walk or get on your bike.

It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?

Julie Jones

Evesham

What do you think? Write to letters@eveshamjournal.co.uk.