A lot of it they do not like but can do nothing about because by the time they know of the plans it is too late to object, or their objections are ignored.

A couple of years ago I wrote to both the Guardian and the council suggesting that land between Castle Street and the river could be used to help tourism, which brings both jobs and money into the area.

If the Wheatsheaf was refurbished it could be used as an information centre and riverside cafe.

Its style of building is part of the local history.

The town bridge and view of the black and white buildings of the Bull Ring area would tempt visitors to look further. The trips by boat to see the lovely Vale Royal area or the Anderton Boat Lift with perhaps the chance for people to stop off and visit Marbury Park could run from there. At the moment people drive straight through the town on the dual carriageway, they don't know what we have to offer. Things like the boatyard on the opposite side are far more likely to encourage visitors to stay and spend time and money here than are the concrete monstrosities of the council buildings, police station, Memorial Hall and even the courthouse.

Is it possible for the Guardian to have a "special" on plans before they are decided and what the locals suggest on them and other subjects?

Everything would be there for people to see and, who knows, even the planners might read it and start thinking of the area as a whole and what the draw backs are to letting every piece of land be filled with houses - especially along the rivers which could be such an asset.

Might I suggest something to start the list off?

If everyone who has the room had to park their cars off the road the traffic would flow better with less hold ups.

Road tax is so that we can drive on the roads not provide free parking spaces for people who don't need them.

While on the subject of cars the minimum size for garages should be increased - cars are much bigger these days. Planning, allowing garages to become part of the living accommodation, should be stopped because this in these days of at least two car families means one is permanently parked on the road. A drive round any of our housing estates gives evidence of this.

I wonder if anyone could please tell me what is done with all the contaminated land for which the council have to pay millions to have removed in order to use various sites in this area. I would very much appreciate having the answer to this question which has bothered me for some time.

When I asked a planning officer he said we just pay to have it taken away.

With regard to the closure of Town Bridge wouldn't you have thought that signs would have been put up on all main roads into towns saying "no through traffic and a weight limit because of the smaller bridge? Perhaps that would stop the massive vehicles one can follow daily straight through the town.

H BLOUNT

Castle Resident.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.