Here is a letter published in the Echo this week:

Yet another money wasting “scheme” being proposed by our council - as if spending £120K on a consultation was not enough of a folly!

I thought that the main object was to encourage people “back into the High Street”.

Having a so called rapid transit system for getting visitors more quickly to the seafront is ridiculous. And what about encouraging people to take more exercise?

Does this not apply in Southend any longer.

The idea of demolishing a perfectly functioning building to “gain a better view of the High Street” is beyond belief - what is there to see?

A most uninspiring sight. Looking from the top of the High Street the railway bridge blocks most of the “view”.

Anyway it is to be hoped that most visitors come to shop or visit the seafront rather than gawp at a lot of empty shops.

As one of our local traders points out, most people arrive by car.

What a view they have!

The circular grey entrance to the car park. As the council seems to be obsessed with art, how’s about a few murals to cover this horrible sight.

ROBERT PERRIN

Southend