IT was interesting to read Richard Timney's spirited defence of his wife, Jacqui Smith MP, (Letters, September 22) regarding her change of mind over the Studley bypass.

As a borough councillor and MP, she supported the bypass from 1991 to 1998.

The all-singing route she talks about was planned by the Labour Government in 1967 and the land, known as the A435 reservation, was purchased solely for the bypass.

The then Labour Government recognised the local traffic from Redditch would have to go through Studley unless a bypass was built.

All the housing developments that are blighted were blighted from the day they were built as the original planning applications, made to the then Labour Government, included the bypass reservation.

The inspector did not support her views. He actually said that as it was Government policy not to build the road, he had to support this decision but he said there would still be uncertainty as a bypass had to be built at some time to improve the dangerous conditions for those people living on and using the A435.

Has Ms Smith considered the likely effect on her constituents when Studley gets the traffic calming measures that we will now push for?

There was traffic chaos recently at Winyates following the roadworks on the A435. When there is traffic calming at Mappleborough Green it won't take people long to realise it will be quicker to use the Redditch roads.

Indeed, a simple solution might be to widen Claybrook Drive and Alders Drive, bringing the traffic even closer to her constituents.

If the Government cannot afford to build a bypass for Studley, then I do not see how Warwickshire County Council can afford it.

It is despicable for the Government to shirk its responsibilities in this way, particularly when they wasted millions on the Millennium Dome and other follies.

The bypass remains a live issue and will not go away. I wonder what line Ms Smith would have taken if Studley had been part of her constituency?

Heather Wersocki

Bromsgrove Road

Studley