SIMON Marston's cogent plea (Courier, December 24) for retention of the Tourist Infomation Centre on the Pantiles was published at an appropriate time to remind all readers that this issue must not be forgotten and must be carried forward into the new year until an answer is given.

Now that Gateway is up and running, it is clear that it may well carry out certain tasks efficiently but it does not look like a TIC and indeed it would be unlikely to attract visitors compared with the ambiance of the present TIC.

I am uncertain why the council is dithering in agreeing to accept the generous offer of a peppercorn rent from Targetfollow which will help to maintain a useful facility on the Pantiles.

One has had two further glimmers of promise with the development of Post Office Services and a butcher's shop in Chapel Place, which will help to make the southern part of the town look as though it is a genuine part of the community.

I can not believe that officials of any standing would have conceived of entering into an agreement with Gateway that would in any way commit the council into placing all services within its remit, as to do so could potentially be regarded as negligent.

Perhaps an appropriate spokesperson for the council could explain its strategy for the maintenance and development of tourism in Tunbridge Wells and indeed how it expects the town to generate income in order to help balance the books in a decade's time.

Dr Jonathan Maw

Madeira Park

Tunbridge Wells

Not just a new store...

I AM concerned at the effect on Tunbridge Wells High Street of development of the out of town retail park at North Farm industrial estate (Courier, January 9) .

At a time of recession, we are already seeing traditional long-established High Street retailers going bankrupt. The spread of different businesses plus the three café/restaurants and a large food hall in the planned Marks and Spencer will create a rival High Street in miniature. This new "High Street" will force shoppers to access it by car. There is no direct public transport access and few residents within walking distance.

Tunbridge Wells currently has a diverse and interesting High Street with a real buzz, which draws shoppers from the surrounding district.

Out of town competition out this scale is likely to lead to gaping holes in the from of more boarded-up shops, in particular the smaller more exotic shops which lend Tunbridge Wells its unique atmosphere.

We are supposed to be reducing our carbon emissions including by travelling less by car. We are also facing peak oil which means that in the long term petrol prices will rise. At the same time we are facing a prolonged recession.

Taking all these considerations into account, building a new out of town retail park is sheer folly.

Hazel Dawe

Audley Avenue

Tonbridge

WHY would M&S wish to be involved in a retail park in Dowding Way when they announced earlier this week that they are closing their Croydon retail park operation as well as a retail outlet in Woking?

Surely the provisional costs for transport improvements are vastly under-costed also (as usual!)

Gilly Simpson

Calverly Park

Tunbridge Wells

BEFORE the planners in their ivory towers make any alterations to the existing road layout for the North Farm industrial estate, can they spend a week travelling from High Brooms station to the A21 between 4.30pm and 5.30pm each day and establish what alterations are required and not what they think are required?

K Stevens

North Farm Road

Tunbridge Wells

Knock down the block

HOW LONG does it take to demolish a small brick building? The answer, in the case of the toilet block in Quarry Road in St James, appears to be five years and counting!

This disused, decaying eyesore has cast a disgraceful cloud over the bottom end of Camden Road for years. Rubbish is frequently dumped around it, neighbouring residents have to look at it every day, and pupils from the excellent St Barnabas primary school must walk past it. A notice – Closed Due To Vandalism was pasted on the front wall and has long since weathered away.

St James' borough councillors have been either unwilling or unable to galvanise action, and still the wreck remains. Screened by the toilet block, vandals have desecrated the wall of St Barnabas Church.

A few days before Christmas, the Courier ran a good news story about St Barnabas' Church being granted planning permission for a new community centre. Father Ed Tomlinson and myself, along with a dedicated and passionate team, are working hard to raise the cash to bring this vision to reality. If we can do this, is knocking down these toilets such a challenge?

The Barna-Bus pre-school opened in May, satisfying a long-standing l need for quality nursery provision. Should young mums have to leave their toddlers just yards from the health hazard caused by this building? Do the residents of St James deserve such shabby treatment? Is the St Barnabas community so forgotten?

If this block were in Langton or Lamberhurst, Benenden or Brenchley, would it have disgraced the area for so long?

Of course not. The borough council told me some months ago that "tenders were being prepared". Several weeks ago they told me the tenders had been sent out. Most recently I was told by residents the latest delay – an underground electrical cable needs to be moved by EDF. Now we're in 2009 – another year, another excuse?

Let's see some respect for St James and its locals. Demolish this eyesore now.

Kevin Lynes, Kent County Councillor for St James', Sherwood and Pembury

The Down

Lamberhurst

Glass pick-up

WHILE it may be welcome news to the residents of Tunbridge Wells borough that plastic and cans will be collected from the doorstep, why has the borough council failed to introduce collection of glass on the doorstep?

The opportunity to have this element of recycling on the doorstep, has been missed with the new contract.

Residents will still have to visit recycle points and dispose of their heavy glass bottles, made even harder if you do not own a car.

The noise problem at these recycle points is also well known especially at Paddock Wood car park.

Surely a survey should have been carried out on this issue, before awarding the contract, to gauge residents' views and concerns on the issue.

In all, once again the borough council only goes part-way in solving the problem of recycling.

Ray Moon

Laxton Gardens

Paddock Wood