I REFER to the reports March 12, 'Council is planning to redevelop square' and March 13, 'Residents hoping for a square deal' that explained how Swindon Borough Council are putting forward proposals to local residents on ways of improving Cavendish Square.

Reading these reports gave me an intense feeling of deja vu. Then I realised the reality of the situation, yes, we have been here before.

Just a few years ago Swindon Borough Council spent a substantial sum of tax payers' money on improvement works to Cavendish Square.

However, these works obviously failed completely to improve the area since after such a short period of time the council is now proposing to repeat the exercise. This therefore raises the question as to whether Swindon Borough Council actually possesses the expertise to handle such projects.

The fact that Cavendish Square has been allowed to decline and degenerate to such an extent is scandalous and a clear indication of the incompetence and failure of the borough council to sustain a valuable local resource. I can remember Cavendish Square 15 to 20 years ago when it was a thriving shopping centre that had regular markets and public toilets.

Now, shops have closed, the toilet block has been demolished by the council, surrounding roads and footpaths are in need of repair work, litter is a constant problem, so it is not surprising that the square fails to attract new businesses. If the area had been properly maintained with a programme of ongoing improvements it is doubtful that it would ever have declined to such an extent.

Carrying out such regular regeneration projects may be good news for senior officers of the council who rely on such projects to justify their positions but it certainly can not be regarded as good news for the local people.

People living in and around Cavendish Square deserve better from this council and the tax payers deserve better value for money.

To ensure cost effectiveness the council should prevent degeneration by ensuring regular maintenance and commitment to existing facilities thus encouraging sustainability and preventing the requirement for regeneration.

However, Swindon Borough Council have no need to worry because they believe that its citizens have bottomless pockets filled with plenty of money that the council can dip their hands into at any time by constantly raising council tax.

(Mrs) E FELL

Ellingdon Road

Wroughton