Progress? Council needs hearing aid

Is there any chance I could be put on the same medication that councillors appear to be on? The ‘big six’ schemes that are being offered up by Ashford Borough Council are the same ‘big six’ suggestions that were offered prior to the latest incarnation of the ring road and the same set that were offered prior to the construction of the Channel Tunnel rail link.

Ashford is big enough now to warrant two cinemas – but, we definitely don’t need a monstrous carbuncle in the town centre that only 20% of people may actually enjoy.

Whilst it is quite admirable for ABC to ask how we would like our council tax to be spent, it would be even more admirable if the ideas proferred were listened to. Judging by past performance there’s not much likelihood of that happening. The best way to prove this is to go through back copies of the KE and see how many people have asked for a Primark in the town centre, then count, in the same way, how many people have actually asked for a Morrisons. There is teaching people how to suck eggs, then there is being realistic.

We are told it is going to cost a small fortune to repair the Ashford flume and shared space. Residents should be asked if they want that work done. It would probably be a lot cheaper to tarmac all the pavements in Ashford. That would need less repair, be more presentable and aesthetically pleasing. But, then again the council would probably let it be dug up two weeks after the work is done. Many residents agree with me that 30 years ago Ashford had potential, which has been squandered almost to the point of no return. One thing that would guarantee progression would be to issue every councillor with a hearing aid. At least then they might start listening and would have no excuse not to. Meantime, let’s not put a cinema where it might be accessible to the general populus, let’s not put the market back in the area where it once thrived, let’s not put a shop in the town centre that people actually have asked for, and let’s not spend money on wasted artistic endeavours. Then again, let’s not do any of these things as there is the very slim chance we may actually give people exactly what they are asking for. Why start that now as it has never happened in the past? Adrian Cussens, James Street, Ashford

‘People want a cinema in the town centre, not more stores’ as there were alternatives, i.e. a parking area for customers, plus unrestricted road parking.

However, it missed out an important factor of human nature (or did it?) that is to walk the shortest distance possible from the car to the shop door and then back to the car – knowing that, in this instance, the chances of a parking ticket are very remote.

If the council can get it so wrong on the small things, then what hope for success on the large projects scheduled for Ashford in the coming years? John Walker, Harvey Road, Willesborough is to fix the small jobs. We were without electricity for six hours short of five days, from December 23. There were only three properties involved. I can understand the sentiment of getting vast areas of towns reconnected first but couldn’t we sometimes be second, not last? After all we all pay the same rates for our power. Gail Pain, two miles outside Rolvenden