There are a number of issues regarding parking and traffic in Tenbury, as well as the deteriorating situation of available parking space (Tenbury Advertiser, December 2).

Specifically: A shortage of parking facilities for increasing vehicle volumes.

l Parking and speeding in Bromyard Road at all times of the day.

l Speeding through the rest of the town .

l Irresponsible as well as illegal parking within the town.

l HGVs using Tenbury and Leysters as a short cut.

l Selfish and irresponsible attitudes of drivers with no consideration for other road users.

l Misuse of disabled badge facilities - parking inconsiderately while an able bodied partner nips into the desired shop, before the vehicle is moved a few yards for a repeat performance!

All of the points require attention, and it is the police force which is expected to deal with all of it.

The highways department will doubtfully be able to do a great deal to help due to policy, unless serious accidents, critical injuries and deaths are the outcome of any of the above problems.

We expect too much from our police who are frequently stretched to the limit.

The point in last week's article that the police do not make enough effort to prosecute illegal parkers will no doubt be met with criticism from those receiving a penalty ticket in the recent purge.

A similar situation has already arisen over speed cameras in Newnham Bridge, with many drivers complaining about prosecution when it is they that have broken the law by speeding!

Speeding between Bromyard Road and St Michaels, between 7am and 9am and then 4pm and 7.30pm is a problem. As a pedestrian during these times, the speed of some vehicles as witnessed, including HGVs, past the high school is unbelievable in a 30mph zone.

There is a need for speed monitoring and detection throughout Tenbury, more car parking to be made available within the town boundary and an improvement in the attitude of the community to help address the issues.

The first point can be addressed by the police. The second point by local people and our parish and town councils lobbying the county councils, highways department and planning authorities. Many of the answers rest with the general public who need to become more considerate and apply common sense.

If our parish and town councils lobby in a determined fashion for the need for more traffic control, restrictions on HGVs, through traffic and increased parking areas, then the situation may be eventually resolved completely. This will then allow our police, who already do a good job as best they can, to focus on more urgent and serious crimes. The rest is then down to the public and its attitude, but are we all capable of working together?

Phil Wakeman

Tenbury Wells.