LIKE many other commuters, I seem to be spending more and more time stuck in traffic jams.

These days, it is not only restricted to peak times, but throughout the whole day.

I sit there cocooned in the car, air-conditioning pumping cool air over my ever-heating temper, listening to the radio with its constant traffic bulletins. How much more can we take?

What does this cost in real commercial terms? All those man hours, all that pent-up frustration, then - when you get to work - having to take time out to unwind before starting your day.

Do you remember in those days before the Southern link road was built? Well, thank God it has been built. What would Worcester be like now if that had failed due to public pressure and nimbyism?

I just wonder what relief Worcester would gain if the Southern Link road were to be completed to join up with the A449.

At the time of writing this letter, I have a normal road map open in front of me.

Imagine if you were on the outside looking in, having nothing to do with Worcester. The most logical thing you would do is to join the A440 at its junction with the A44 to the A449 crossing the A443 just before Hallow, bridging the Severn, thus creating an orbital road system around the city.

This, of course, is not a new idea. But someone, whether it is a city councillor, a county councillor, or even better, our MP, should relight the touch paper.

The scheme would be of benefit to the whole of Worcester and allow its continuation of growth and prosperity.

Worcester should be a city of which we can be proud - rather than just another unidentifiable metropolis that consists of constant traffic jams.

GARY KIBBLEWHITE,

Independent Conservative Councillor for Bedwardine.