The council claims Colchester is one of the fastest growing towns in the country.

It would be hard to deny this when faced with the evidence of all the extensive new housing and commercial sites that have been developed in recent years.

However much we may throw up our hands in horror at this urban sprawl, there must be one positive advantage and that is the substantial increased income for the council generated from the property rates.

Therefore why is Colchester beginning to look like an abandoned town in the old Wild West movies?

With the exception of gents’ hairdressers and cafe/coffee shops, the number of businesses closing every week is distressing.

There is no apparent evidence of cohesive planning/action to upgrade the town centre.

The “bus station”, so called, is a disgrace.

Car parking falls pitifully short of the needs of visitors and shoppers.

Another park and ride would not go amiss.

The county town of Chelmsford has achieved a welcome change of its image to be a place where it’s a pleasure to shop.

Why can’t Colchester?

The rates set by the council over recent years have more or less followed the national inflation figure, with one notable and quite acceptable exception for the police, for which the council has no control over.

It therefore begs the question: “Where has all the additional rates income disappeared to?”

D Dungey

Tey Road, Aldham