WHATEVER the merits of the new proposed Waitrose store in Evesham, the relocation of the fire station makes no sense.

It should be sited on Vale Park, where Wychavon still owns a considerable land area, for the following reasons:

lBetter access to the whole area, to major roads and especially Broadway when the reprieved station there is eventually closed.

lEasier exit in rush hour periods.

lIt allows room for expansion of the very successful potentially award-winning new leisure centre.

As a regular user of the leisure centre and previously sceptical as to the merits of a replacement, I see that the car park is frequently totally packed and people have to be turned away from session because of excess numbers.

Kidderminster has had a hall (The Glades) for many years that must be three times the size of that in Evesham, whose hall is too small to hold major sporting events.

Where will new indoor sports facilities be provided as the town undergoes its planned expansion and the population of Evesham hopefully takes up more exercise and may even reach national average levels of participation in sport?

The only argument I’ve heard against changing the planned location is that it’s convenient for retained firemen.

But isn’t this looking to the past? Housing numbers have dramatically expanded to the south of the river and plans indicate that that trend will continue so that the south will allow the bigger catchment area.

I think the council plans to move to Abbey Road because it’s an easy decision, not the best one.

I challenge councillors to justify their planned decision and fully answer all the points mentioned, why and if they are wrong.

Robert C Hale

Evesham