OF course Citizen Smith is right about the potential importance of Lancaster Castle.

Lancaster is the finest historic city in the land and he can rest assured that Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, Home Secretary, Jack Straw, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Jack Cunningham, are well aware of our aspirations to have proper access to what could be one of the country's great attractions.

On the other hand the Home Office value the place as a prison, progress will be hard won and a lot of people are employed there in important and useful work.

I'm usually all in favour of making a song and dance about anything that will benefit our city but there are times, when jobs and livelihoods are at stake, when it's appropriate to proceed quietly and ensure those affected are directly informed rather than finding out through the press.

It's still important to have vision - major regeneration coming to Luneside and the Quay, a Western Bypass and improved public transport to reduce traffic and make some areas vehicle free, proper investment to ensure business development of university research AND the Castle opened up for tourism - that really could transform our City for everyone who visits and for all of us who live here.

Hilton Dawson MP

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