I WOULD like to put the record straight over the recent closure of the Horsefair, after the report (Kidderminster Shuttle December 8) that traders have "blasted" the district council over the handling of the matter.

Following lengthy discussion between our building control officers and the owners of the potentially dangerous buildings, the owners brought in specialist contractors to underpin and stabilise the buildings.

The county council, as the highways authority, had no option but to close the road.

Work took longer than anticipated because additional underpinning work was required to make the buildings safe.

The district council took all measures it could to minimise the risk to the public from collapsing buildings.

Of course, we sympathise with Horsefair retailers over the impact that the closure had on trade but public safety is paramount when dealing with repairs on dangerous buildings.

The retailers may wish to seek advice from their insurers about claims for loss of business and to contact the county council about the lack of signs informing people that it was "business as usual" during the road works and repair works to the dangerous buildings.

We will certainly raise the issue of signs with the county council in case anything similar ever happens again.

The district council assisted, through its building control section, in ensuring that a suitable scheme for repairs was undertaken as soon as possible, to put the buildings back into a safe condition.

COUNCILLOR MIKE OBORSKI

Leader Wyre Forest District Council,

Osborne Close, Kidderminster