COUN Raine has rightly called for an extensive debate about an M5 link (Your Letters, May 31).

New initiatives so often go ahead without being thought through sufficiently. Replies to a questionnaire and discussion, possible heated, at a public meeting do not seem to give enough opportunity for thought and evaluation, whereas the expression of views through your columns over a period of time makes good practical use of the consultation period. Here are two more thoughts on the subject.

Firstly, there is probably common ground in the desire for an integrated transport system. Local needs could be served best by spending available money on improved rail and bus services rather than on road building. It is well known that improvements in frequency and coverage feed on each other as the travelling public becomes more confident in assuming that journeys are possible by public transport.

Secondly, there are three main roads, and several subsidiary routes into Malvern from the east (the M5 side). If there is a new fast road link, most traffic will funnel in at one point. Who would like to be living near that point?

As others have pointed out, saving ten minutes on a long distance journey to or from Malvern is not of much commercial value. The interests of local mobility should therefore carry most weight. Any investment should go towards more trains and buses.

ROBIN BOOTHBY, Hornyold Road, Malvern.