I wish to respond to the letter from Heston East resident Colin Ellar of January 1. He accused the Chronicle of missing a crucial point in its original article of December 18 on the potential new skills centre.
He also referred to more traffic being generated in the High Street as a result of such a development. I doubt it is possible for either of these points to be more ironic
Firstly, he neglects to mention a crucial point, namely that West Thames College is itself a strong supporter of being able to increase its profile, and that of skills training in Feltham, Bedfont and Hanworth by relocating to a High Street location.
Secondly, I think that he will find that the traffic problems that exist are largelydown to the town centre redevelopment, which he was so proud of.
While I welcome the improved retail offer, it was inevitable that 800 new flats would ask serious infrastructure questions.
There is a third irony in that he himself accepted when he was leader of the council that the Feltham Community Association would probably not remain on that site in the future.
West Area councillors have already expressed concern about the suggested frontage of the new site and I am confident that something much better will be produced prior to a planning application being submitted.
If things work out here, we have the opportunity of a truly lasting legacy and something far more imaginative, innovative and creative than yet more flats on the site, which would probably have been the outcome were he still leader of the council.
CLLR MARK BOWEN Deputy leader of Hounslow Council, Helen Avenue, Feltham.
