THE grandiose proposals for the redevelopment of the Abbey Stadium, in my opinion, are at present of dubious viability.

As with previous proposals, viability in financial terms will require a departure from the Worcestershire County Structure Plan and the Redditch Local Plan, allowing hectares of housing development, or whatever, to ensure an adequate return on capital employed.

Such departures could be prolonged, demanding determination in the end by Government.

To suggest that a town of but 78,000 folk, with a relatively low-wage economy, is likely to be able to afford to enjoy the proposed sports and entertainment etc is even more fanciful.

Which means that such amenities will need support from a wide area of the Midlands, possibly even further afield.

The already over-burdened A441 desperately needs the Bordesley Bypass while the A435 had an excellent case thirty years ago, for a Studley Bypass when at present the Redditch primary road system, Rough Hill Drive and the Slough acts in lieu aided by the A441 through Astwood Bank.

The Warwick Highway and the Coventry Highway both terminate at the A435, the western parts of Redditch are approached by historical routes that have altered little since pre-war days.

In planning terms, no issue can be considered in isolation. Should the Abbey Stadium redevelopment come to fruition without an updated roads structure, then the environmental results could be calamitous to say the least.

County Councillor Tom Wareing

Jays Close

Winyates Green