YEARS ago I spoke to Lee Scordis about the graffiti on a new bridge in the Hythe area and he was belligerent and said that nothing could be done as it was privately owned.

I asked him if he could contact the owners of the bridge and have the graffiti removed and nothing was done and he made it sound impossible.

I contacted Will Quince, who I knew I could get a better response from, and the graffiti was removed.

I said to Lee Scordis it was important for the public to feel safe and to keep this at bay and the situation as everyone knows with graffiti in the Hythe is awful.

I was not felt to be taken seriously by him and at the time his attitude shocked me.

Now reading his attack on Bob Russell, I am not surprised (Gazette Letters, July 27, “Sir Bob offers no solutions for town”).

What has Bob Russell done for this town? He is revered here for his hard work and caring attitude.

Let me explain to you Mr Scordis, Colchester is not Chelmsford, nor do we want to be.

Whenever I have rung Essex County Council, I have been given ridiculous answers to simple problems. Dutch Quarter traffic problems have not been eased by Essex County Council, in fact worsened by playing about with signage or lack of it.

I have been told to “move” by one woman. She also said that Colchester is like Chelmsford now? No, it isn’t.

Our pavements are mounted by delivery drivers and taxis and we have two-way traffic that is dangerous in a small street.

We have near-misses every day because there are no speed restriction signs. We need 20mph signs in the Dutch Quarter and have asked and got nothing.

At the top of Maidenburgh Street there are insufficient bollards, so small cars and scooters that deliver food bombard our street as a cut through. Nothing has been done.

It is true to say our opinions did not matter to Essex County Council whatsoever.

You have caused Brook Street to become even more polluted and congested and it is a narrow street with housing packed in either side. Imagine their lungs!

Those that park in Ryegate Road (with the park’s permission) have one access in and that is from the High Street and if St Nicholas Square goes ahead there will be no way back in.

Your ideas are dangerous and not thought through.

The Dutch Quarter is already oversubscribed on parking. There are not enough parking spaces in an area which was designed for Dutch weavers, not modern day traffic. Even the parking signs in Maidenburgh Street are so few, people park not knowing and get tickets, but that is more revenue, isn’t it?

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The turning into Queen Street being blocked off is ridiculous.

Again dangerous and without thought and causes a lot of heartache for residents.

Bob Russell is approachable and loves and respects our town, unlike others who are just worried about their personal gains and power.

He does not live in the past.

The electric bikes are misused and left everywhere and bleep late at night and are a nuisance.

People on pavements are in danger every day because of bikes on paths and shopping areas.

Wake up Mr Scordis, this is Colchester, not Chelmsford and we like it that way. You probably spend too much time in Chelmsford to understand.

People of this town have suffered since Essex County Council has taken over and ignored them.

TJ Gordon

Dutch Quarter, Colchester