Wretched sea wall scheme

I THINK it is shameful the way the council is using these scare tactics to try to blackmail people into supporting this wretched sea wall scheme, by saying that if we don't give it our support then we will get one three times the size! John Crockford-Hawley has said we seafront traders are putting the town at risk, that we are threatening 4,500 properties and we are calling for a barrage stretching from here to Cardiff. This is absolute rubbish! It just goes to show how terrified they are in the Town Hall of public opinion.Mr Crockford-Hawley should bear in mind that unlike him, collectively we seafront traders have millions of pounds worth of businesses, property, livelihoods and history invested in Weston's seafront tourist trade. Also unlike him, it's all on the front line! When the storms do come in, we get it right in the face! He tries to give the impression there is only a choice between a five-foot wall and a 15-foot wall, and that it is the design of the wall that we are not happy with. In fact we have said time and again that we do not want a wall of any design, shape or form!I think we are now getting to the stage where what is needed here is a wide-ranging public inquiry into the way this authority is being run, hopefully leading to root and branch regime change.At a recent meeting our MP, John Penrose, said he would support the breakwater scheme, which would only stretch from a couple of hundred foot or so from the Grand Pier pavilion, round to Anchor Head. Thus protecting the most vulnerable area of the seafront affected by wave overtopping. At the meeting business leaders were keen to pledge support for the breakwater scheme, which North Somerset Council had originally voted in favour of. Mr Penrose said that he would be willing to help explore various avenues and seek financial support from the Government.M J WOOLSTSMV Bristol QueenSouth Road, Weston