In March 2001 you published a letter from me in which I asked the council to tell the public of their plans for the old Railway Museum in Faringdon Road.

Former councillor Chris Eley assured your readers that the council would not allow the building to fall into disrepair and that a use would be made of this asset.

I could not help but give voice to a degree of scepticism as generally speaking, assurances from any politician are pretty worthless. I am not at all surprised to see that after three years the old Railway Museum continues to lie empty and unused.

Which brings me to the matter of the old Rodbourne Mannington Community Centre in Morris Street. This building is the subject of an offer from a group of people who wish to use the hall as a dance centre.

A spokesman for the council advises that there are concerns about the building in terms of its condition and that insurers have expressed the view that the building is not suitable because it does not meet health and safety regulations. The spokesman suggests that the location of the hall may in fact prejudice its use as a community centre.

I suggest this is a lot of rubbish as is the claim that the council will be considering future uses for the building as part of its ongoing corporate review.

Please don't let's kid ourselves that the buildings use will be considered anytime soon. This council would not understand what is meant by a corporate review it's too busy navel gazing!

Des Morgan

Caraway Drive