AS Upton retailers suffer a reported 25 per cent downturn in business, motorists are badly delayed in their quest to cross the Severn, and ageing caravanners get stuck in the concrete and steel of the traffic flow restrictions, some questions need to be answered by Worcestershire County Council, the Highways Partnership and Halcrow, their consulting engineers.

Firstly, and under the smokescreen of a high-level risk of structural failure, the people of Upton have been robbed of any advance notice and have not been afforded the duty of care required by law in such a situation. The preparation of a leaflet and a meeting in Upton town hall are the sum total of WCC's sharing of information with residents.

Secondly, it may well be asked if all the disruption is really necessary. Such a high density traffic carrying structure must be inspected annually and it is difficult to believe it has been allowed to deteriorate into such a condition of high risk within one year. No confirmation of such inspections were forthcoming at the meeting, despite the question being asked. Neither were the suggestions that from an engineering perspective, there are simpler, more cost effective and less disruptive solutions.

Thirdly, we were promised that no other local roads would be subject to road works during the viaduct restrictions. In the three weeks since, Upton High Street has been subject to traffic lights, the back road past Clive's fruit farm - which was a useful short cut to avoid the congestion on the Hanley Road - has been closed, as was the A38 to Ripple road.

Fourthly - and perhaps most seriously - the "temporary" road being constructed through Boyes Meadow Park will not be at the same elevation as the existing viaduct. The consequence of this will be that - come the winter water levels - the viaduct will have been destroyed, no traffic will be able to use the flooded temporary road, no work could be continued on the new viaduct, and the residents of Upton will suffer still further from this chronic short-sightedness.

Finally some consideration should be given to the assertion by WCC that the new viaduct, with its "very clever" ramp end, is a useful start to the much vaunted raising of the bridge road to Holly Green. Should one ask what will be the effect of all the heavy traffic then diverted through Upton town centre, as the Hanley Road is closed due to the fact it is more prone to flooding?

The people of Upton, and those who pass through the town, should not accept the fact of having their lives and their livelihoods unnecessarily disrupted in this fashion.

H J BARKLEY, East Waterside, Upton-upon-Severn.