Mrs Wendy Allen's letter asked why the city council is upgrading the streets around Dalton Square at the same time that North West Water is working in Rosemary Lane. The works at Sulyard Street, Friar Street and Bridge Street were originally to have taken place in 1996/7.

They were delayed because the opportunity was taken to apply for additional Lottery funding and this took several months to come through. We then had to start work during the current financial year to ensure that other funding from English Heritage could be used. This has maximised the funding from outside bodies and minimised the cost to the council tax payers locally.

As to whether anyone will notice the difference, it will of course be a matter of opinion. In some ways it will be a compliment to the scheme if they do not, since much of the work involves the replacement of the deteriorating stone setts ensuring their presence for many years to come.

Sulyard Street in particular was in a very poor state and the comments I have heard have been very favourable as it is so much better to walk and drive along. The real change will be the work in Moor Lane, outside the Pizza Margherita. That space will be transformed and will create a much better setting for the many attractive historic buildings there and should enhance Mrs Allen's restaurant. The streets have been improved in order, so that access to Moor Lane was always available and in fact there are at least 200 parking spaces in very close proximity to her restaurant.

She accuses this council of incompetence in a sweeping statement about the council not listening and being without business acumen. In fact the council did listen on voucher parking and put in machines, and as far as business people on the council, I have a long memory from my younger days when a "business-led council" allowed attractive old streets in the city centre to be torn down and replaced by an ugly shopping centre which had to be remodelled and revitalised.

Over the three years of the Dalton Square improvements a total of £628,000 will be spent: of this £419,000 will come from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £30,000 from English Heritage, Lancashire County Council will contribute £101,000 which leaves a city council contribution of just £78,000, just 12 per cent of the total. A very good financial deal. Funding from the Lottery can only be used for particular projects and cannot fund other areas like housing. The council has made sure that local people benefit from the Lottery and has used the money for work that would not otherwise be possible.

We surely should be congratulated not condemned for this, especially when Dalton Square will be improved in time for the Millennium and the whole surrounding area will attract and hopefully business to an historic part of the city. Lancaster's attraction for shoppers is its character and its unusual and varied shopping. The work being done can only add to its appeal.

Cllr Eileen Blamire

(Chair of Planning)

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