BINGE drinking is a major problem but it could be more serious in Swindon because the council has greatly increased the number of public houses and night clubs in order to increase revenue.

This is not joined up thinking as there are increased costs of vandalism and policing that cancel out this revenue.

There are wider issues here that were dealt with in the report on urban renaissance chaired by Lord Rogers. The conclusions were accepted by Government and then ignored. It was found that many people liked living in towns and cities where they wished to work, live and play. This would lead to a rise in public transport and cultural activities. However the rise in binge drinking is making it both impossible for people to live in these areas and cultural activities to succeed.

We need to halt happy hours, low priced drinks and selling to under aged drinkers. In Swindon, there are too many drinking establishments and a third should be closed down as soon as possible and no new licences issued.

Action is needed now as the police have admitted that they do not have the resources to deal with this growing problem.

Complaints from the drinks industry must be ignored. They have created the problem with their irresponsible behaviour and must pay for the cost of solving it.

B Burrows

Swindon