Someone should admit to mistake (From Dorset Echo)

Someone should admit to mistake

10:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Your letters

So, in his letter of January 25 councillor Howard Legg would have us believe that, with regard to the Weymouth ‘Seafront Regeneration Programme’ and the disappearance of the fairy lights, ‘all of those who write about these matters receive a detailed personal written response’.

All I can say is that, when on October 10, 2010 this paper headlined a letter from me (well before the lights were taken down) giving a detailed analysis of why getting rid of them was a bad idea, not one of my points was answered.

As for his other point that, with regard to this and other changes, we should wait and see what the overall result is on the sea-front, this seems to me just another attempt on the part of those responsible for virtually vandalising much of the traditional seafront heritage to pretend that all is well.

Patently, all is not well, and it is a pity that those responsible do not seem to have either the humility or courage to admit that perhaps some mistakes have been made.

The loss of the fairy lights is bound to detract from the traditional atmosphere and attractiveness of the seafront.

And from the Pier Bandstand to the Pavilion the disappearance of the traditional colourful kiosks and the ornate Victorian lamp posts (to say nothing of their nondescript – many would say ugly and unimaginative – replacments) look set to undermine the area’s general appeal to the public even further.

As the general tone of this letter may indicate, I am angry.

But I am constantly made aware that I am not alone and that many residents and visitors feel the same.

John Marshall, Beaumont Avenue, Weymouth