I AM writing in response to all the outraged letters concerning the large percentage increase in council tax for the Swindon area and in defence of the increase made by the council.

One only has to walk down Shaftesbury Avenue, Park South to witness and relish the fantastic and spectacular alterations that can only be said to enhance this once very ordinary suburban street.

The council has managed, with immeasurable ease, to completely transform the Shaftesbury Lake area from a pleasing and serene venue into a site that holds a remarkable resemblance to the battle of the Somme during World War One.

It is a fantastic feat of engineering to have such historic landmarks brought, with such realism, to your back yard from serenity to surreal in one swift strike of a JCB bucket.

What other council would ever think of such a project for its residents. Fantastic.

One must start the scenic stroll from Coate Water roundabout to fully appreciate the value for money and benefits we get from this meagre council tax increase and to fully enjoy the new delights of this redeveloped area.

The first object of desire to be encountered is a joyful traffic priority chicane with its mass of bright red tarmac, it is certainly a feast for the eye to behold.

Another priority chicane is quickly followed by the first of many mini roundabouts that have transformed the whole avenue changing its former bleak appearance into a visitor sight to behold.

The fact that none of the newly, and may I say, expertly painted, roundabouts are actually on a road that is wide enough for even the smallest vehicle to traverse takes nothing away from their inner beauty or road safety significance.

And it doesn't stop there. Your council tax hasn't only been spent on Shaftesbury Avenue for that would create utmost jealousy and bad feeling amongst the other residents of the Parks and Walcot areas.

The council has thought about us all and has managed to give birth to an unthinkable amount of creatively pointless roundabouts at regular intervals all over the whole area.

It's unquestionably fantastic and, if I may be so bold to say so, money well spent. Well done Swindon council, there is no beginning to your talents and imagination.

Well I think I have made you aware of the superb and delightful Sunday afternoon stroll that can be had within the Parks area. I apologise to all residents for the inconvenience that will obviously be caused when the tourists start flocking to this remarkable array of assorted traffic controls.

As for me, I am off to be fitted for my new multi-coloured, oversized jump suit, large shoes, red nose and yellow wig as I have just taken up the position of director of pointless traffic measures.

S PEARCE

Whitbourne Avenue

Swindon