The Olympic test event has been and gone without any major hitches, but one question remains – what does the Olympics bring to Castle Point?

The only signs I saw of anything occurring were the temporary traffic control signs banning parking in certain areas and the park and ride signs all pointing away from Hadleigh.

So, apart from the excellent pictures in the Echo and a two-minute report on TV, which could have been from anywhere, it’s almost like nothing happened.

Now I’m all for the organisers being sensitive about not causing too much disruption in Hadleigh and its surrounding areas, but they may have gone too far.

Local shopkeepers seemed to have noticed a very low interest in their wares on the day, despite bringing in staff to cope with the “rush” and there was very little increase in traffic because of the bussing in of people from outside, so no extra passing trade there then.

I have still to meet anyone within five miles of Hadleigh who has got a ticket for next year’s event, and the fire station looked very good regaled with Olympic signs, but what is its function?

So I ask again: “What will the Olympics do for us as locals?”

If businesses cannot benefit and locals can’t get in to the event, it may as well not be here.

Brian Legg
Prittle Close
Thundersley