COUNCILLOR Roy Walker (Nov 8) would not win any prizes for tact and diplomacy judging by his comments about the new Radcliffe market/museum.

For him to doubt whether Radcliffe is ready for international tourism is an insult to residents and businesses in Radcliffe. His offensive opinions also seem to echo the negative comments of Radcliffe's detractors over recent years.

In my opinion, the design which architect John Pawson has produced is beautifully simple and externally elegant, belying the complexity of the brief he was given. He has succeeded in incorporating such diverse components as a traditional market, art galleries, a restaurant and cafe, a museum, meeting rooms, offices, plus a learning and community room. To add to these things, he has also utilised the river as a feature within his design.

Surely this sort of vision is just what Radcliffe needs to take it into the future while local residents and businesses are thoroughly deserving of such progression.

Perhaps Coun Walker is motivated by being simply jealous of the fact that the idea was conceived in Radcliffe by local businesses, councillors, officials and residents' representatives. It just goes to prove what Radcliffe's community is capable of.

DEREK SANDFORD,

Bury Street, Radcliffe.