Readers' letters

I WAS disappointed to read in the Echo that despite the pressure, a supermarket for Portland is being recommended for rejection by the borough council. There is a compelling need for a supermarket to serve the island, which I am sure is felt by most people who live here. There are a number of factors, I suggest, that borough councillors should consider. One is that there is a virtual monopoly in food shopping on Portland. While the Co-op has a fair range of stock and good service, the lack of any competition with its stores in Easton, Weston and Fortuneswell is to the detriment of every household here. The prices in these existing food stores are generally much higher than supermarkets on the mainland. Many everyday items are 30 per cent or so more expensive. The universal pattern of family shopping now depends on being able to do a week or two's shopping in one go, which requires the use of a car, and that means convenient car parking. Close-by parking is difficult in Easton and almost impossible in Fortuneswell. Most people on Portland do want the convenience of car shopping, but to take advantage of large-supermarket prices they have to make a round-trip of at least 12 miles (it still pays). This adds to the congestion both on the route and at the supermarket entrances. Most places with a population of 13,000 can sustain a good-sized supermarket, and there is no reason why Portland should not. The many business and tourist visitors, plus Wyke residents, would add to the potential customer base. Reported comments about the effect on existing shops at Easton and Fortuneswell are surprising. Easton has a very limited range,which would in no way be disadvantaged, and Fortuneswell now has only a handful of shops left. The recent sad closure of the Red House Bakery can be seen as a final nail in the coffin for that street which used to be a significant shopping centre. None of those shops that remain would be adversely affected by a proper supermarket. Denying the island a supermarket will do nothing to 'contain and retain' any of the 'established stores'. On the contrary, a new facility would be likely to bring major benefits. The Sunday Telegraph recently set out in graphic detail the benefits a good supermarket can bring a neighbourhood: "Retail units that were vacant, or rented on short lets to... pound shops, fill up with 'nice' shops. It creates a sense of community." I do not think it is relevant to consider the old plan for a supermarket between Hambro Road and High Street. This was never vigorously marketed, and the site was too small and cramped, with woefully inadequate parking space, even for the 1970s. I am sure that a supermarket could be accommodated in association with the Osprey Quay development. This would serve Fortuneswell, Castletown and Chiswell, as well as the rest of the Island, and the southern part of Wyke Regis. Failing this a site at Easton could certainly be found. I urge borough councillors to recommend acceptance of the principle of a supermarket for Portland, and if necessary to amend the borough's Local Plan accordingly. STUART MORRIS Weston Road Portland

OUR ROAD IS JUST ONE HUGE TOILET FOR DOGS

I WAS very interested in the letter from A Darley ('So fed up with dodging dog mess', Saturday) and I would like to add my comments. The road I live in on Portland is one huge dog toilet. There is, at the moment of writing this letter, over 20 lots of dog mess just outside my front door. On any given day there are at least 30 to 40 contributions along the pavement and in the road which is being smeared all over the place. It is being trailed on the shoes of those going to the local youth club, which is used by a mother and baby group, and there is a real health risk to children. Last Friday was a very distressing day for my neighbours, who were involved in the funeral of their father. They had to go outside of the house to clean the dog muck off the pavement so that the mourners would not step in it, but the wheels of the car and the funeral attendants' feet, and those of some of the mourners, were covered in it. I am fed up having to watch where I step in the morning and having to check when parking the car that I am not stepping in anything as I get out. As we are all aware, dog mess can be very hazardous to health, especially to young children and expectant mothers. Councillor Kris Haskins has taken lots of photos of the problem and complained to the borough environmental health dept, and to the dog warden, and nothing has been done. I have also been in touch with environmental services. However, the responsibility of the mess must be firmly placed on dog owners. I just wish they would clean up after their dogs. Action must be taken to fine owners who don't clean up. I know the dog warden is very busy but I would like him to spend some time looking at Portland. There are very few dog mess bins on the Island, while there are at least 50 in Weymouth. So if there's one spare PLEASE can we have it in our road? And finally, can I make one final plea to dog owners? PLEASE PLEASE clean up after your dogs. SANDRA WEST (COUNCILLOR) Eastweare Rd Portland

GREEN AT RISK: I'M DISGUSTED

I WOULD like to respond to the article on March 4 which described how the landowners of Markham and Little Francis in Weymouth are to apply for 'de-registration' of the part of the land which has town green status. I grew up in Wyke Regis and have always been able to walk on this land. It is one of the few areas in Weymouth where one can get away from the roads and noise. It is a pity that its future as a green area is now at risk because of people who want to make a profit from it. If would-be developers are successful in having the Town Green status reversed, I for one will be disgusted. ROBERT HUNT Portland Road Wyke Regis Weymouth

MAYOR GAVE UP HIS TIME TO MAKE US WELCOME

AS AN international student group from Weymouth College, we would like to say thank you to the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Borough, through the Echo, for a pleasurable morning talk to our group in the mayor's parlour. We know that he is a very busy man, and we feel grateful for this time. Mr Hollings, who showed an interest in the politics of our countries, told us about the history of Weymouth and Portland and showed a great deal of hospitality which made us feel at home. We all feel that we know a lot more about United Kingdom politics and history in general. We realise that the mayor has over 400 engagements a year and we feel very privileged to have been included as one of them. Once more, thank you very much. A GROUP OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Weymouth College