I AM writing in response to recent letters to the Standard regarding the redevelopment of Cirencester Market Place.

I am becoming increasingly annoyed at these people who seem to believe they are the mouthpiece for all Cirencester residents. Some of the language used in previous letters is quite unbelievable. Far from the Market Place being 'destroyed' I think it will be greatly enhanced.

I, for one, am very much in favour of the full pedestrianisation of the Market Place and am actually a little disappointed that traffic will continue down one side following its completion. This is an opinion which is shared by the vast majority of my friends and colleagues so I am a little unsure who your recent correspondents are speaking on behalf of. I like to shop without breathing in car fumes or having to dodge traffic when I cross the street.

However, the current plan is to keep traffic down one side so what exactly are these people complaining about? Is it the fact that people wont be able to drive down both sides of the Market Place? Does being able to drive down both sides of the Market Place increase commerce in the town centre? Or is it just that some people are too bone idle to walk the 100m from the nearest car parks?

I am sure the Standard's straw poll on its website regarding the matter, has attracted some people to vote against the redevelopment, but there is little reason for those in favour to vote for it as hopefully it is already going to happen.

I would be fully in favour of a referendum if it was not a complete waste of taxpayers' money and the council's time. The council is there to take decisions like this on our behalf. If you do not like what your councillor is doing to the town do not vote for them, but do not bleat about a referendum every time something happens in the town that you do not like.

To say that traffic flow through the town centre is essential to the well being of the shops there is utter nonsense. People drive through town to get to the other side of town, not to go shopping. You only have to look at the success of Black Jack Street and Cricklade Street to see how popular those areas are with pedestrians, without having to dodge any traffic or breathe in any fumes, although I am told there was great resistance to the Black Jack Street redevelopment prior to its implementation. I wonder if the retailers in Black Jack Street would wish to wind the clock back now? I suspect not.

SIMON MILES

London Road, Cirencester