SIR – Judging by the expressions on the faces of those returning from the Worcester City Run, I am sure the event was a success and precious funds will have been raised for good causes.

The city needs events like this. I am writing because the advertised road closures seemed to be lasting a lot longer than we had been told.

In the afternoon St Andrew’s Methodist Church in the city centre had an event which was important to us, and meant people driving in from Malvern, Evesham, Droitwich and the outskirts of Worcester.

Their journeys were so disrupted that they arrived stressed and anxious, having queued and dropped off their passengers far away.

In a local car park I also met some total strangers who were distressed by having to change their itinerary for the day.

Of course we should encourage community events, but organisers need to be more realistic about the disruption caused to other people.

Had I known that access for disabled people and those carrying heavy musical instruments was going to be impeded long after 1pm, I would have rearranged the date or more likely changed the venue.

Churchgoers are part of the community too. We wanted to encourage our friends from outside the city to come in and not to be concerned about traffic and parking.

They will be more reticent to come in future.

When we know in advance, about cycle races and fun runs, we make provision on a few Sunday mornings a year, but when they are likely to last into the afternoon, we need adequate notice.

Rev Helen Caine

Worcester