IN reply to Councillor Francis Lankester's letter (Evening News, Friday, February 11) may I inquire if the city council has spent £120,000 on renovating the fountain and adding new green areas. Where?

Regarding the fountain, we were told that approximately £30,000 had been spent.

It looked great when returned to the park - but look at it now. Every time the pump is switched on, it breaks down due to leaves and so on blocking the filters.

For several weeks now there have been mountains of soil alongside with nothing seeming to be done. In the letter, Councillor Lankester states that the money is for an extra two people to do the "extra park maintenance".

Do people realise that this is not just for Cripplegate? All the maintenance personnel are moved around from park-to-park throughout the city wherever needs attention. This is why the public toilets in the park are only opened on very rare occasions as there is no one to open and close them.

How much money was spent on the consultants' report? Did they put all the history of the park in these documents?

Many local historians know about these things. Why have the planners ignored a memorial oak tree to one of Worcester past great men, alderman, businessman and chairman of Worcester Royal Grammar School Board of Governors the late Captain Spreckley.

What are the family going to feel if this is desecrated? The memorial plaque has mysteriously disappeared in the last few months. This oak tree is right in the middle of the proposed car park. Why isn't it marked in the plans - are they going to bulldoze alongside and kill the roots such as happened in the High Street?

Certain councillors are not listening to the public. Do they realise the cost of this extension is going to be in excess of £150,000 plus?

No explanation has been given as to why Newport Street car park was sold for development and what has happened to that money

Let's stop this nonsense now and preserve our park for generations to come.

C E & S K R BROOKES,

St John's, Worcester.