THERE has recently been some publicity concerning the proposed and controversial plans of the Royal Shakespeare Company for the town of Stratford upon Avon but I feel that the average Stratfordian has not been sufficiently consulted or correctly informed of what these plans really are.

May I, therefore, please take this opportunity to try and put this matter right?

There are many suggested ideas put forward by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the demolition of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre being only one. The pedestrianisation of Waterside and Southern Lane (which would mean the removal of vehicle access to restaurants in Sheep Street and to the Holy Trinity Church in Old Town) the removal of the Gower memorial to the rear of the Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company would even like the Anniversary Water Fountain moved out of the Bancroft Gardens, This, incidentally, is owned by the newly formed Stratford upon Avon Town Trust. Last, but not least, how about a bridge over the Basin?

A group of people met at the Union Club on December 6, 2001 which took the name of the Stratford Waterfront Task Force. Of the 17 who attended, only one from the Stratford upon Avon Town Council, one was from the Stratford Society and one was a Stratford on Avon District Councillor. The remainder were Council officers, business personnel, and people from Commerce and Tourism. Why didn't our Mayor of Stratford upon Avon or even our newly appointed Town Manager get an invitation? Why was the ex Chief Executive of Stratford on Avon District Council, Mr Ian Prosser, invited? He signed the attendance register as a "Private Citizen". With Cllr Bob Stevens (SDC Long Itchington) proposing that Mr Prosser should be Chairman of this group and Cllr June Tandy (WCC Nuneaton) seconding, it was fairly obvious that this was cut and dried before the meeting began. The Stratford on Avon District Council have agreed to receive the findings of the Task Force for discussion.

The only way to obtain proper representation at future meetings is for all interested parties to canvas their elected representatives on the Town Council, the District Council, and even the County Council. They are elected to put forward your thoughts and ideas and not just to promote their own.

This will be a major upheaval for Stratford upon Avon over the next three or four years if consent is given, and we should all have the opportunity to put forward our thoughts and have them discussed at any future meetings.

MICHAEL CRUTCHLEY, Town Councillor, Townsend Road, Tiddington, Stratford upon Avon.