Bob Russell’s letter (September 27) on learning from the past was fascinating, but just who was it directed at?

Mr Russell mentioned the proposed housing development at Mile End.

My neighbour brought round the petition, which many of us signed, including me. We read later the only councillor to vote against the Mile End housing was Kim Naish.

Then we learned not one of the three Mile End Lib Dem councillors attended that council meeting.

Apparently, two were on their annual holiday and the third had to go to work that day?

So it seems there was not one Mile End Lib Dem councillor to represent their Mile End voters!

We know the council leader, Anne Turrell, is a great supporter of the Cuckoo Farm park and ride. Indeed, she has been reported as getting “ecstatic”

about the park and ride and the new A12 junction.

It is reported the park and ride is to go to the town centre, via North Station.

But Mrs Turrell has failed to explain how the park and ride buses will reduce the North Station traffic bottleneck, or where the buses will terminate in the town, if Colchester has no bus station.

What was even more curious was the report in the Gazette on September 23 where Mrs Turrell is reported as stating to the strategic overview and scrutiny panel “we have found a way of forward funding” for the link road from the new A12 junction.

She added: “We are fully committed to working proactively with our partners and finding the best way forward in the shortest possible time.”

So, just who are these partners? Just what is the best way forward? Where is the money coming from?

Will newly-found money detrimentally affect other projects?

Did not one councillor on this panel question this lack of vital information?

Is this lack of transparency truly democratic, in keeping with the coalition Government’s declared policies and in the public’s best interests?

Or do we have another Vaf/Firstsite blunder in the making?

Yes, Bob Russell is correct, but it seems it’s Colchester Council which should learn from the past and avoid disaster.

Colchester people know this, as it is reported they want fewer councillors and the Vaf/Firstsite flattened!

Allan Hewitt
Bluebell Way
Colchester