THE Environment Agency say there is "no other choice" but to do away with parking on Severnside South at Bewdley in order to ensure nothing hinders the erection of the flood barriers.

What a load of codswallop.

For 12 months of the year no parking will be allowed because of the possibility of flooding.

So, for June, July and August, when most visitors are in town and the biggest problem is making sure litter is cleared from the "beach" alongside the low-running river, 40 car parking spaces are to be closed in case the flood barrier has to go up - get real!

A case could be made for seeking a ban on parking during the vulnerable winter months, but even this is unnecessary, in my view.

The fact is that we always have ample notice of any flooding because of the Environment Agency's excellent and sophisticated early warning system.

With 24 or 48 hours notice all cars can easily be cleared and a temporary ban imposed - and nobody would object to that.

But I think there is a hidden agenda.

I think some people would like to see parking banned from Severnside South for aesthetic reasons, so that the view across the river can be enjoyed without a line of cars spoiling it.

A case can certainly be made for that - but let's at least debate that openly rather than have a parking ban brought in on the back of the flood defence scheme.

DAVID FLACK

Kidderminster Road

Bewdley