SIR — As a person who loves West Somerset and was a member of the last Watchet Urban District Council, I feel sorry that West Somerset Council is seeking help from Taunton Deane Borough Council.

I would have thought that Bridgwater would have been the best choice because it would appear that whilst Bridgwater is thriving, the Taunton Deane area is declining.

Our once famous cattle market has gone to North Petherton and ever since it disappeared the site looks like a rubbish tip.

The loveliest theatre in the west, the Gaumont [sic], which seated some 1,400 people was turned over to a bingo hall and the car park demolished.

We have lost our produce market and although we were promised another, it never materialised.

This has lost the town millions of pounds in trade.

The Parade was a most wonderful place to visit with lawns, flower gardens and seats for people to sit and admire. The council demolished it and in its place laid cobble stones around the area which are dangerous in wet weather and look hideous.

It built a road called the third way and ever since it opened the traffic in Bridge Street most of the day is clogged with traffic unable to move.

It is building thousands upon thousands of so-called houses on flood plains and agricultural land, all of which are on the fringes of villages, which means that village life as we knew it will be gone for ever. And in any case, we have no industry here since the demise of Avimo, so where are these strangers going to work?

These are but a few of the things this council has been responsible for, so please be careful because I feel that West Somerset is one of the loveliest areas in the country.

J Stephens,

Taunton.