IT really was demeaning of Coun Wilcox (Letters, March 5) to suggest the 65 per cent of Colwall villagers who voted for two-way traffic over our bridge were not in full possession of the facts. We probably know more about the problems with our broken bridge and have better expert advice than he appears to have.

He also suggested that the main priority now is to speedily build the bridge, but doesn’t bother explaining why the council element of the construction has already been extended by three months without any explanation or apology.

To move the matter forward, perhaps Coun Wilcox can answer a few pertinent questions either in the press or at a public meeting in Colwall.

The original two-way layout has been accident-free for more than 100 years. Why change it when it has clearly worked well and safely?

Why design a wider footpath on the bridge than anywhere else in the village?

Why was the safety audit told to assume Highways Agency “Design Manual for Roads and Bridges” standards, despite the latest Department for Transport advice (Manual for Streets, 2007) which states: “The DMRB is not an appropriate design standard for most streets, particularly those in lightly-trafficked residential and mixed use areas”.

MfS also states “it is strongly recommended that local authorities review their standards and guidance to embrace the principles of MfS.” Why have the council not followed these guidelines?

Why impose different safety standards here than anywhere else on the B4218?

Why spend an additional £95,000 of ratepayers’ money on installing traffic lights that nobody wants and our expert says aren’t needed?

May I remind Coun Wilcox that Coca Cola and the primary school governors do not represent Colwall village.

The elected parish council does that very well and councillors, and their expert, should be listened to and treated with more respect.

Coun Wilcox should also remember he was elected to represent electors’ wishes and he shouldn’t take disgraceful and unwarranted decisions behind closed doors. If he believes in democracy, why not debate this issue in full council or even better, come and face Colwall parish council and the village and answer these questions in person?

Whatever has happened to the much-vaunted local democracy promised by David Cameron and Caroline Spelman only two weeks ago?

IAIN NESBITT, Colwall, Malvern.