Spring is the time of year when Mother Nature is at its best...but in Colchester I have just seen the result of Municipal vandalism.

All the mature shrubs, trees and greenery on the Albert Roundabout, at the moment when they were at their best and made such a welcome sight, have been ripped out.

It now looks a wasteland, desolate. An utter disgrace.

Those responsible for this municipal vandalism should be ashamed.

The site has been cleared to make way for a statue of an elephant – part of a project costing £200,000.

Austerity? What austerity? Colchester Council and Essex County Council are claiming that they do not have the money to do useful things that residents want and then they destroy the delightful setting of the Albert Roundabout, rip out mature shrubs when they are at their best, and proceed with a ludicrous statue of an elephant.

I thought there was an Act of Parliament to ban the removal of hedges, trees and shrubs at this time of year.

I was proud to have been involved, years ago when I was a councillor, in brightening up Colchester with floral displays, to start the programme of planting new wildflower meadows and of launching a major tree planting campaign.

I am embarrassed for Colchester at what has just happened at the Albert Roundabout and I do not look forward to a ludicrous statue of an elephant, a colossal waste of public money.

Bob Russell

Catchpool Road, Colchester