Development doubts

The Vale of the White Horse District Council stated that “plans to redevelop the neighbouring Charter area are high on the agenda, but will be dealt with at a later date”.

This means that at a later date the library and Malthouse Surgery could be demolished.

They do not say whether the library will be established in another place or just not reopened.

It has been said that the Malthouse surgery will be put over a shop as only retail is allocated for the ground level of the development. It would be nice to have a new surgery. We suspect the surgery itself would have liked to know that it could be demolished, as it has just finished a refit.

Being members of the Malthouse Surgery we wish to express our concern on it being above a shop. Surely a surgery needs to be at ground level to allow all its patients to be able to access it with ease.

It seems eminently in the right area and on the right level now. There was access to a car park and the centre of town.

Asked how access to the proposed surgery was to be achieved, we were informed that there would be a lift or escalator installed. But is this a sensible proposal for people who are in wheelchairs, on crutches, unstable on their feet, and those with a fear of confined spaces?

Either of the proposed forms of access are mechanical, and therefore prone to failure.

No doubt a hoist could be arranged for this contingency. As we know, mechanical breakdowns do not necessarily get fixed overnight, nor do nervous breakdowns through trying to get to your medical practice.

It would appear that the council considers retail outlets more important than the health of the community.

We were pleased to hear that the council had finally agreed planning for the precinct to be upgraded.

Like Terry Boswell, joint president of the town’s Chamber of Commerce, we are concerned at the removal of the canopies in front of the shops which shelter the precinct from the weather.

We can now look forward to bearing the brunt of the snow, rain, wind and sun. So we can now slip over in the snow, walk all the slush and water into the shops, or get blinded by the sun reflecting in the shop windows.

We agree with town council member, Martin Smith, that it would be a shame if the pitch and putt facility is cut, instead of the grass. So we can presumably expect that area to return to pasture, with grass about four feet high in the summer.

People enjoy going down to the river and using the amenities there: the outdoor swimming pool, kiddies’ paddling pool, cafe, children’s playground, crazy golf, pitch and putt and tennis. But surely these facilities should be improved so that people are encouraged to use them more.

After all, is this not what we pay part of our rates for?

Abingdon used to be such a lovely place, with a vibrant centre, well-maintained river front and a variety of facilities for leisure. I know that things change, and that the Abbey grounds have been improved, and the area around the swimming pool has been changed.

However, Abingdon is now a place of empty shops and lots of restaurants. Surely it is time that people let the council know how they feel on these issues. After all it has not been well advertised that the library and Malthouse surgery are to be knocked down, just that the Charter area is high on the agenda but will be dealt with at a later date.

It is important that people let the council know how they feel about these changes. But don’t try to phone them; our objections need to be raised in writing.

H DAVIES; A HALKETT, Parsons Mead, Abingdon