WHERE to start? What can we say about the Tropicana that hasn't already been said during the seemingly endless cycle of false dawns and crushing disappointments?

WHERE to start? What can we say about the Tropicana that hasn't already been said during the seemingly endless cycle of false dawns and crushing disappointments?

It's been 10 years now. Ten years of plans and promises, delays and deferrals, fiasco and failure.

Ten years where doomed schemes now seemingly rooted more in fantasy than reality have bounced between drawing board and sounding board, before ending up on the scrapheap.

Ten years where a divided community failed to unite behind any one proposal, while successive councils have dithered and procrastinated as countless deadlines have come and gone.

Ten years where - as the project's 'driving force' warned in 2001 - a defunct and derelict Tropicana has helped Weston 'wither and die' as a tourist resort.

Apparently, though, no-one is to blame for Weston's decade-long frustration.

'Not our fault,' says North Somerset Council, pointing a finger at the 'very difficult trading conditions'.

'Not our fault either,' says developer Henry Boot, toeing the party line and trotting out the same excuse.

Never mind the fact that both admit to knowing the scheme was dying on its feet months ago.

Did they think it would be magically revived if they buried their heads in the sand?

Yet again, Weston is left wondering what, if anything, can be salvaged from the latest debacle.

Boot says it may yet return - but surely that's more in optimism than genuine belief? Who in their right mind would hand back the attraction to a firm that's already failed Weston once?

The people of Weston wouldn't stand for it - and it's time the people of Weston were given a key say in what happens next.

The bottom line is (as it has always been) that Weston needs a pool, it needs a vibrant seafront, and it needs swift action.

Isn't there anyone out there with the vision, ambition and clarity of purpose to make this happen?