I must respond to the statement made by councillor Pam Challis leader of Castle Point Council (Echo, September 13) in relation to the proposed BMX track in West Wood, Thundersley.

She says public consul- tation still needs to go ahead. How can she say this with the volume of contacts already made by residents to both the council and councillors?

The Save West Wood Action group, has a petition going around as well, and this proves the level of feeling against the proposal.

Various messages are coming from the council including the fact that due to the level of public feeling the scheme will not go ahead in the wood, but the council wants to save face before backing down by carrying out the public consultation.

This would be a further case of council taxpayers' money being wasted as this group has already done the consultation on their behalf!

I urge the council to listen to the locals and back down before it wastes more money, and work with us on the alternative locations suggested.

Councillors should remember they were elected by residents to represent them, and as such they should take note of our views. To date they have refused to meet with us to talk this matter through, and give us our democratic right.

Also, every tree in the wood is covered by a protection order which cannot be lifted without agreement from the Forestry Commission. I cannot see it giving agreement to clear an area the size of half a football pitch.

The council says it is committed to saving woodland and improving it. How is clearing such an area and building a BMX jump area preserving woodland?

Neal Warren
Co-ordinator Save West Wood Action Group
Rayleigh Road
Benfleet