WITH regard to the article, hoteliers fail to bridge gap.

I agree completely with Vernon Smith's comments of the Blackpool and Fylde Rail Users Association about the Bloomfield Road bridge being preserved and kept in place.

With decorative features e.g. wrought iron, the Blackpool crest sub lighting etc and twinned with Waterloo Bridge, decor wise it would certainly help to enhance the Central Gateway along the central corridor.

For it to be demolished would be a crime and a waste of public money.

I find it ironic that once again an un-elected out of town council official, head of planning and transportation, has stated that the Masterplan had been welcomed by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment as having sound sustainable transport and foundations, what about the local community and associations? Involve them, once again they seem to have forgotten they exist.

The council has already made a u-turn on the proposed Phase 1 Master plan after stirring up enormous opposition in the area, therefore they must be encouraged to have an open mind on the retention and upgrade of the Bloomfield Road bridge.

Our bridges in South Shore are beacons and landmarks for future generations to come, and tell a story of our once proud Central Station when Blackpool was in its hey-day. Let us therefore not lose another piece of our historic past, as it would be another sad end from our steam heritage and put the breaks on future railway hopes.

Blackpool has a unique heritage built upon continual evolution and innovation. Please do not forget the people who live and work here and together we can turn our hopes and dreams into plans of reality, because we will listen.

We also oppose plans for a new hotel on the site of the former Tangerine Club and agree with Lyne Dole, chairman of the Blackpool Combined Association in that, with visitor numbers in decline, the council should be accountable and be sensitive to the market needs, we have an overcrowded marked. This issue must be taken in account, especially when considering this type of project, despite the response of the new local ward councillor, involve the associations and local community because they will listen.

M J Chappell, Chairman, Bloomfield Ward, Conservative Committee