Postbag
Redevelopment is a waste of tax money
WITH reference to Mr Gould's reply to my letter about the Salisbury Market Place development I have to admit that there is some merit in a few of the things that Mr Gould has to say but I would remind him of whose money he wants to spend.
As far as I can see, apart from a few generalisations about "feel-good factors" driving investment, which I find highly unlikely especially during a period of
economic downturn, there is no report on return on investment nor over what period this might take place other than to say that the council will consider this after the project has been approved.
Also the mention of unspecified "recent research" no doubt by the same "experts" who did the consultation in the first place does nothing to persuade me that this is a worthwhile project at the cost mooted.
As I understand it, £1.5 million pounds of the capital cost is to come from Wiltshire County Council's transport and
infrastructure budget but in the same Postbag section of the Journal, Councillor McKeown is blaming WCC for the poor state of roads in Salisbury. So,
presumably, if the Market Place scheme goes ahead there will be £1.5 million less to spend on the roads.
Also, other than a few comments about removing tarmac and "off the shelf" litter bins and benches, I can find no details of exactly how this money would be spent.
Seeing as the fairly precise amount of £3 million is mentioned then there must have been some costings done.
When will the people of Salisbury hear how these costs are formulated -
presumably after the council has rubber-stamped this nonsense.
I note from the Salisbury District Council website that the council holds up the Princesshay development in Exeter as a shining example of what the Market Square could become.
As a frequent visitor to Exeter, I can assure them that Princesshay is a
shopping mall, nothing more, nothing less, a concrete jungle by day and a ghost town after 6pm, when it usually closes.
When will Salisbury District Council and others understand that cities are organic and dependent on economic
factors beyond their control and that places are always, without exception, despoiled when councils use their "vision" to improve what doesn't need improving. Poole, Bournemouth, Winchester, and Exeter prove the point.
I urge everyone to read the item on the council's website about the Market Square, after which they can make up their own minds.
I believe that it is time the public stood up and reminded the council that most people already regard council tax as far too high for the council to be indulging in such flights of fancy and that council tax payers do not want to be landed with more white elephants like the new council offices.
ANDY LIVINGSTONE, Figheldean
THE project director of the Salisbury Vision may well be right that the enhancement of the Market Square is desirable.
I would, however, like to draw his attention to the public right of way that runs
diagonally across the square.
This right of way was done away with during the Market Square enhancement in the 1950s and had to be reinstated after a High Court case.
Let me make it clear that any attempt by Salisbury District Council or the proposed
unitary authority to do away with this footpath will be met with the same opposition as the city council found 50 years ago.
I would suggest the council read the judgement made by Judge Laskey in that case.
PR MATTHEWS, Wilton
REGARDING the proposal to revamp the Market Square by Salisbury District Council, may I suggest the restoration of the beautiful water feature that is lying idle in the grounds of the Old Manor on Wilton Road.
It would be wonderful to see this water fountain in use again.
PEGGY NELSON, Salisbury
I WAS pleased to read Graham Gould's spirited defence of the proposals to smarten up the Market Square. But please can we just get on with it?
As a former president of the Salisbury & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I attended meetings on this very issue more than four years ago.
ANDREW HODDER, Salisbury
11:35am Thursday 6th December 2007
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