I WOULD like to draw your attention to two items in last week's paper. Mrs Hardy s letter about Prince Consort Garden s becoming a public toilet and the plans for the Royal Pier Hotel. I too have witnessed several people urinating on South Road from my

I WOULD like to draw your attention to two items in last week's paper. Mrs Hardy's letter about Prince Consort Garden's becoming a public toilet and the plans for the Royal Pier Hotel.

I too have witnessed several people urinating on South Road from my bedroom window.

What survey was conducted, and what feasibility study was taken before Councillor Francis-Pester's decision to close these toilets and leave the nearest facility 20 minutes walk away.

There was no definition of what reasonable steps have been taken to re-direct people nor any mention of what that cost is.

This closure only encourages antisocial behaviour. The council talk about a �25,000 a year saving to the taxpayer by this closure but this is a feeble penny pinching idea that will actually cost us more in the long run.

Each time someone sees the kind of antisocial behaviour mentioned above we should call the police to deal with the problem as we are told not to get involved, how much does once response call cost? Who cleans up the mess after these people? What do other taxpayers feel about the waste of already stretched police resources on such matters when they should be doing real policing activities?

The article about the Royal Pier Hotel coincides with this article and how Birnbeck is in desperate need of regeneration as much as the seafront.

A recent letter from a visitor Mrs J Baker of Swindon told the true state of Birnbeck with such clarity even before the Royal Pier fire. I wonder how she would feel today seeing even more deterioration to the area. She must be happy she does not have to live in an area once enjoyed by so many visitors.

To say the council should be applauded in such economic times is ridiculous, they should be held accountable. Two burnt out hotels, The Lynton and Royal Pier, and one derelict, the Dorville which no doubt will go up in flames once squatters get in, zero activity on Birnbeck island and Prince Consort Gardens which is now a public toilet.

If this kind of council planning and leadership deserves a pat on the back then I wonder what planet I am living on.

T BARDEN

South Road, Weston