STOP you town planners before you miss an opportunity. I refer to the scheme to enhance Bank Square in Tavistock and the recent complaints about the Remembrance Day service in Guildhall Square and the noise from traffic going by.

We have a great opportunity here. Many years ago the town was considering re-locating the war memorial from Guildhall Square where it is poorly situated next to the town lavatories to a more appropriate location. Let's use the opportunity of the refurbishment of Bank Square for just that purpose.

Move the War memorial to a location which is away from the A386 noise to a better venue which would not need significant road closures for Remembrance Day services. \Sgt Dave Anning is his letter is quite correct; the police can no longer close the A386 for traffic for the service.

How about using the 2014-2018 Centenary commemorations as an opportunity to re-site this significant memorial to a location which would afford a quieter, more dignified and respectful service in front of the Royal British legion owner building — still close to the Church, Town Council offices and Town Centre.

I presume the Heritage Lottery funding for the Bank Square project would welcome something which would tick the boxes of heritage and bringing people together at a focal point of commemoration upon this significant anniversary. Significantly less disruption to traffic, a more dignified service, and a more appropriate location. Surely it' a win-win isn't it ?

Simon Dell

Courtlands Road

Tavistock

THE Townscape Heritage Trust has done a great job and I feel there can be no complaints regarding the majority of its work. However I believe they have failed to take account of one 'improvement' they have put forward which will have considerable adverse financial implications for the town if it is approved.

They intend that the Guildhall Car Park, the only short term car park in the centre of the town, be abolished and landscaped. Presumably this would enhance the visual aspect of that area. Nonetheless such a decision would immediately impact on the viability of shops and market stallholders.

Put yourself in the position of a shopper just wanting to nip in to make a small purchase.

At present there is the car park with a rapid turn-over of spaces, they can stop and purchase and be off paying for only half an hour. When the car park is abolished they are unlikely to use the Bedford Car Park and walk all that way, paying a higher price for their parking, they will nip off to Morrisons and park for free near to their shop.

If ever this presented a case for the need for a Tesco to supplement Morrisons, this must be it. Closing the car park will immediately impact the trade in town.

The other aspect is the income to the town council. In the year 2014/15 this will be in the region of £40,000 which represents about 8% of the precept, ie to fill the gap in earnings, year after year, the town council will have to raise the charges it demands of ratepayers by 8% or make swingeing cuts to its budget in other areas.

The mayor, Cllr Harry Smith, tried to explain this to the group but his objections were clearly not understood.

The town council has lost the Council Tax Support Grant this year and for future years, this added loss of car park revenue is unnecessary and would be disastrous for town council coffers. If your taxes rise, you will know why.

I believe that the ratepayers, if they do not agree with service cuts and the traders if they do not want to see their footfall decrease, should make their views known to their town councillors. If this part of the plan is accepted it will be another grandiose proposal that ends up costing the ratepayers dear.

For years the town council have fought to keep rate increases down and have been very successful. This would be a financial disaster and another nail in the coffin of our town centre and pannier market. We will have a beautiful but dead town centre, a museum.

Cllr Brian A A Trew

TTC Councillor (Independent) (South Ward)