6 YOUR excellent article on traffic calming in Malvern headlined "Hills alive to the sound of traffic jams" was very timely.

However, it may have inadvertently given the impression that the proposal that Malvern Town Council should increase its traffic calming budget by £10,000 per year is an officer recommendation.

In fact, the proposal came from myself as an amendment to the draft budget now under consideration.

The views expressed in my report - including the notion that a change of political direction at County Hall might mean less county council money for such measures - are my own, and no one else's.

We have had a good debate on this within the council, although, following a recommendation from Resources Committee, it looks as though my plan will not find favour at present.

But the debate has been not so much pro-or anti-traffic calming as whether or not this is a proper use of town council money when there are so many other priorities, which need funding.

I happen to think it is - the Mayor and the Chairman of Resources Committee do not.

Their view will probably prevail, but the fact that we are discussing this is proof that Malvern Town Council takes this issue seriously. We will continue to work with the Highways Partnership on road safety and traffic issues, Avenue Road being the perfect example. Watch for future developments.

CHRIS LENNARD,

Councillor Malvern Link Ward.