Dear Editor

I find it incredible that another landmark is to be knocked down, namely Cawdor railway arch.

I have walked through this arch many times and, recently with the main argument being from the emergency service Fire Brigade. I, and probably a lot of others, find it hard to believe that there is not enough width for the fire engine to get through it. The council have considered lowering the road so there was enough clearance in the height of the bridge.

Why is it not possible for the fire engines come off Brampton Street to come down the road of Cawdor? A slight bit of extension of this road would take them to the new site in question.

If the fire brigade deem that this also unsuitable, how do they intend to service the properties at the bottom of Cawdor, or has the fire brigade not been asked to look at this aspect.

Looking at it I find it a very odd affair that we are willing to knock another part of history down to satisfy yet more greed, with an easy option. When will we stop doing these sorts of things instead of finding other ways?

I know with the ever-increasing population more houses have to be built. But at what cost to the environment and history of our small towns.

Why are our so important councillors we elected not doing anything to fight this, they were up in arms over the Chase Hotel. Ho, sorry more flowers and frills are top of the list and are more important.

Don

Ross-on-Wye

Editor’s note

In the interests of fairness to all concerned with this planing application, the issue of the Arch has been considered and discussed by councillors and planning officers many times, to my knowledge, over many years.

And as far as I know this is not an attempt by a landowner to capitalise on his land but will provide a means of ensuring that there are some low cost, affordable homes to rent or buy in Ross-on-Wye.

Also, the councillors who consider the planing applications are county councillors and those considering the future of The Chase Hotel in regards to the NDP are town councillors, many of whom are newly elected.