NOW that the so-called modernisation of Devizes Market Place has been completed, regardless of the opposition to the project, what may I ask has it all achieved?

It all looks nice and tidy no doubt, but the loss of 50 car parking places, at the very heart, the centre of Devizes, is clearly to the detriment of business the lifeblood of the local economy. That's what these alterations have achieved.

The electorate no doubt are aware the rate support grant from central Government whether increased or decreased has a direct bearing on how much every taxpayer has to pay to local government annually.

The forecast is that it will be the former, yet another hefty hike in local tax bills in April 2002 is predicted.

It is incumbent on local government to be prudent with our money.

On the evidence of the Devizes Market Place however, it would appear that prudence is not part of local government policy.

In my letter in the Gazette on December 6 I raised the question of waste of public money as a matter of public concern. Here is but one example within our own community, where local government, not dissimilar to central government at Westminster, treats the electorate as short of "grey matter".

Maybe they are right, for without doubt there is public indifference to what is going on around them in local government.

Surely the question that should be asked of local government and the paymasters of the Market Place project is, how much did it all cost? That is the question.

As for the tree removal controversy, what a fuss. Anyone would think that the London plane tree was a specimen of great beauty, instead of which, by its very description, it is indeed, in my view, plain and unattractive.

Most importantly, and as many motorists have experienced, these trees situated among a designated car parking area are obstacles, hazardous to those manoeuvring into and out of a parking slot.

K R MANNS

Blounts Court

Potterne

Devizes