Golden opportunity for Wickford (From Echo)

Golden opportunity for Wickford

11:04am Tuesday 13th November 2007 in Letters

Like Stephen Hillier I, too, am appalled at the arrogance of Karen Squires and the Wickford Action Group who purport to represent the residents of Wickford when they only speak for a small minority in condemning the Wickford masterplan.

As a long- time resident I welcome any initiative that will breathe new life into a moribund town centre.

Look at the facts. Almost every building of historical interest or architectural merit in Wickford town centre was swept away years ago to be replaced by poor quality structures of dismal design typical of the 1960s and 1970s.

The High Street area has now deteriorated so badly it must be one of ugliest in Britain with hardly a retail unit of note.

So what precisely is the Wickford Action Group trying to preserve?

Surely not the derelict garages along Runwell Road or the other numerous dilapidated buildings scattered around the town centre.

The building of flats in the town centre, far better than using the local green belt, and the other proposals to regenerate the area can only be an improvement on what we have, so we should give our support to Basildon Council or lose a golden opportunity.

Roy Kebbell
Deirdre Avenue
Wickford