Tim Young seems to be hoping Alumno will appeal against Colchester Council’s decision to reject the student flats proposal, if only to get the rubble shifted.

There is another use for this area. How about a decent bus station?

Let’s face it, the present set-up us a disaster.

A seedy little hut and queues of slow-moving, polluting buses wheezing their way down past the bingo hall towards Stanwell Street trying hard to find a stop near the pavement so passengers can get on and off.

Be honest, councillors, do any of you think this is a success?

Let’s accept it’s all been a mistake. So let’s swallow our municipal pride and have a dozen bus bays near Firstsite, a new heated waiting room, an electronic bus arrivals board and a café.

The wonderful green lawn in front of what was Firstsite’s café could be made available as a play and relaxation space with a few little fountains, benches, table tennis spots and music in the summer.

When I look at the state of the mausoleum of the old Odeon after 14 years of neglect and see the same being done to the cultural quarter, it seems like a sign of despair.

Let’s tackle the real problems boldly and forget the elephant on the roundabout and the funny little umbrellas.

Julia Newhouse

Hamilton Road, Colchester