SIR – Having read in detail the extensive article (City of the future, October 10), I was most impressed with the artists impressions of the proposed town centre locations.

However, are we really to believe that the council can, as the illustrations show, eliminate the gridlocked and polluting streets in the town centre, now so blocked with cars, taxis, buses and lorries, this is so very doubtful.

And as for the developments shown for the riverside improvements, these point very clearly towards a bias between the east and west banks of the river.

Living in the Lower Wick area of the town, and using the Diglis footbridge for walking into the town centre most days, it has become most evident that the east bank of the riverside has had the lions share of attention. Trees and vegetation cleared from the river bank to afford views along and across the river, and plenty of seating to relax and enjoy the revealed vista.

On the west bank however, another world exists, the river bank has become so overgrown with trees, brambles and wild balsam, that the historic views of the city and cathedral are lost completely.

Any seating that is provided, is either totally obscured with the vegetation in front of it, facing in the wrong direction, or occupied by the many groups of alcohol drinkers, drug addicts and dealers, of the summer tented village occupants.

With the renewed interest in the city promoting public rowing again, and the numerous existing and well established rowing and canoe clubs based in the area, it’s well overdue that the west bank is treated to the same degree of attention that the east bank has enjoyed in the past.

I am sure that in your extensive archive of past photographs, you will find that both river banks were well maintained, and afforded the public, wonderful sights of our city, on whichever side of the river you chose to walk.

Edward Arnold,

Worcester