CD Lee’s letter about the speed of traffic using the Southern Link Road drew some strong reaction from our online readership.

REB_809 posted: “I agree – walking down the footpath on Crookbarrow Way is quite daunting with cars hurtling towards you at 70 miles per hour (or faster).”

san 1 added: “Yes most definitely, for the safety of cyclists from the down draft of the lorries accident waiting to happen.”

Moltaire took a different tack: “The question that needs to be asked is should the highways department install barriers etc on the basis of what ifs?

“Every single metre of every road is potentially a hazard so should items be installed to prevent potential accidents?

“I’m not saying it’s right or wrong to install a barrier on the Southern Link but do it for this road and there’ll then be calls to install something similar on many other road which the council will have to accede to, even roads which have never seen such an incident.”

Casmal responded: “All too often the reason given for not taking protective and preventative measures is that there have been no or few accidents, which begs the question, how many people have to die or be seriously injured for the council to feel it is worth acting? That, surely, can’t be right?”

WJS1950 agreed with them: “Indeed, people should not be used as guinea pigs or have to lose there lives in order for the highways department to act.

“People can see for themselves the issues on the southern link so why can’t they?”

From a cyclist’s point of view, i-cycle added: “The county have a habit of erecting metal barriers and banning cyclists from the city centre based on ‘what ifs’.

“By far the biggest threat to pedestrians (and cyclists) are motorists. Personally I don’t think a barrier is needed on the southern link, just as barriers aren’t needed on cycleways elsewhere in the city.

“It’d be far better money was spent on encouraging sutainable transport that will ironically reduce congestion for motorists.”

Anyone for tennis said: “The southern link road is promoted as a cycleway and pedestrian route, so it should be safe for all. If barriers are not installed then speed limits should be enforced with random checks to send out a message.”

Letterman added: What about cyclists who cycle on the opposite side of the road from Whittington to St Peter’s because there is no separate pavement or cycle path on that side?

“Should Worcestershire county council now be expected to build a cycle path on that side of the road because they’re at greater risk than those using the existing cycle path on the opposite side of the road?

“Or what about the pavements alongside the A449 between Ombersley and Worcester, a 70mph dual carriageway, should barriers now be installed?

“If the council does something with one road to prevent, as Moltaire sad, ‘what ifs’ then they have to be consistent, as well as meet similar concerns elsewhere, and do the same with many other roads too. And who will foot the bill which will be many millions?”