We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below. This from Steven Goodman. Ed
I was surprised and disappointed by the “East Cowes regeneration is no more” reaction of the Red Funnel CEO to the justifiable rejection of a plan which needlessly threatened so many skilled jobs, thriving businesses, and people’s homes.
Those of us wanting and working for improvement and regeneration in the town and further afield would reasonably expect Red Funnel and all other parties involved to recognise that the available money and momentum may now be redirected to produce economic and environmental benefits for everyone, without harming existing useful assets or alienating so many Island residents.
Create something exceptional
I fail to see why Red Funnel should not still get a bigger and better terminal, particularly as without the need to spend some of the available money destructively, more of it could be used to create something exceptional.
My preference continues to be for vertical building on the present site, ideally incorporating as much planting as the budget allows. Could there even be green walls, and/or a roof garden and restaurant/cafe as a contribution to regeneration, nature, and RF profitability?
Make best use of the this opportunity
Additionally, if money or investors are available now or later for generating new housing, hotel rooms, or retail opportunities, some nearby neglected sites remain available, the best and most obvious being the still wasted former Frank James Memorial Hospital and the adjacent former health centre.
I’d like to think that no more time and money will be wasted, and that everyone, including Red Funnel, will co-operate and continue with the work needed to make the best use of the this opportunity.
Image: 3poezen under CC BY 2.0
