TRAFFIC snarl-up in Worcester, read all about it. Of course, we cannot predict with any certainty that this will be our news vendors' cry - but one thing we do know for sure is that the depressing scenario of tailbacks and jams will be a feature of Worcester life for at least the forseeable future.

The Faithful City's traffic system has developed an alarming hair-trigger sensitivity. It doesn't take much for matters to go awry -

all it now needs is for some relatively minor impediment and chaos ensues.

Today's snarl-up involved London Road. Temporary traffic lights caused huge tailbacks and massive delays for commuters. Even when people left home early in anticipation of problems, appointments were missed and children arrived at school later than usual.

However, the result would have been the same had the work been taking place in Bath Road or Henwick Road. Unfortunately, all we can look forward to is more of the same as a number of other water and gas pipes are replaced or repaired later this month.

The harsh reality is that there is not the slightest chance that anything will, or indeed can be done to sort out Worcester's road system overnight. So what can the ordinary person do? This newspaper believes that the only option is for people to start using their vehicles more thoughtfully. Car sharing, greater use of public transport and more commuting on foot or bike will help. Granted, it's not the complete answer - but it will certainly help.