YET again we see our planners boob (BEN, September 7: Caged lions).

The councillors appeal for sympathy, but obviously they didn't know their business, so perhaps Mr Prescott's Department is slapping their wrists.

Fencing upon fencing around Victoria's square for ages, and what about that cost? Now the square is clear, we still have to have fencing, and this spoiling the appearance of one of the finest Town Halls in the country.

Really, English Heritage is to be applauded. The Town Hall should stand forth in its full majesty - not be turned into a permanent building site look-a-like. Surely the Council can come up with a better anti-vandalism solution. Perhaps 24-hour monitoring by CCTV? Is there not a modern cleansing or surface agent available which would render vandalising a joyless undertaking?

As for the politicians - did John Prescott himself call this one in? I doubt it. His big, big department has rules like any other. However, that doesn't prevent Cllr Walsh jumping in with both feet, regular as clockwork, with laughable quotes. But what a cheap shot this was! ("Prescott can't get public transport right, so he's turning to a fence in Bolton....").

Some of us haven't suffered from amnesia since 1979. Remember a few short years ago the Tory Party Conference in Blackpool? Didn't we see Cllr Walsh on national TV at the rostrum, trumpeting his proud enthusiasm for bus de-regulation? I did, and I remind him of it from time to time, and I do it again. Got a problem with your bus service? Don't bother the bus company, go and see Cllr Walsh.

Mr D Darroch

Birtenshaw Crescent

Bromley Cross

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