SIR — Having waited for the inevitable failure of the proposed new supermarket complex in Williton, I was not surprised in the least to see the plan shot down in flames by the local council.

It seems the majority of those for the scheme cannot accept that dear old Williton sits astride a crossroads of two major routes into the West Somerset area, the A39 and A358 and then there is the Five Bells/Watchet road to also consider.

As a lorry driver of nearly 40 years travelling over most of the British Isles, I would like to think I can see the big picture rather than the parochial fears and misconceptions of some of our natives and residents of Williton.

The transport industry is operating larger and longer trailers as its lorries — can Williton's streets and roads accommodate this traffic? I think not.

Any restrictions on lorry size would lead to higher prices in the shops; you cannot have it all ways and every way.

The suggested roundabout at the junction of Bridge Street and Bank Street was an escape from reality to ridicule and ruin.

My plan would be to demolish the present Co-Op store and adjacent premises to facilitate a through road past Gliddon's proposed shopping complex, reappearing towards Mamsey House (to be demolished), becoming a dual carriageway to the long-awaited Washford Cross roundabout.

Near to Mamsey would be a roundabout with east bound traffic signed left for Bridgwater and right for Taunton.

Fore Street would have bollards at both ends, allowing and restricting motor traffic to buses, taxis, cyclists and maintenance crews with set times provided for delivery and collection drivers.

Paved and cobbled with pedestrian seating with trees and shrubs make the street the nub of the town.

I would combine Gliddon's plan with developing the Killick Way area from Fore Street to the doctors' surgery, rid ourselves of West Somerset Council and use the offices to house the town library, post office, police station and parish council, a sort of civic centre.

A by-pass of Williton would lead to more development, eventually combining Williton with Watchet and Five Bells and possibly Doniford, a rural spread like Minehead, Alcombe and Ellicombe. There of course would then be an excuse to build out of town supermarkets.

Where would the money come from to finance the roadworks? The sales of the police station and post office would go some way to put money in the pot.

How about employing some unemployed civil engineer graduates and giving the local unemployed something to do to provide a workforce?

Bruce Williams,

Half Acre Close,

Williton.