I AM sad to see that even more trees have been felled in Colchester town centre, this time it is at the front and back of the Mercury Theatre.

While accepting that works are taking place to improve the theatre, albeit with the addition of only 40 or so seats, was it necessary to remove so many trees?

Some time ago we lost mature trees in Crouch Street and at the junction of Osborne Street and Stanwell Street, the latter to make way for our unpopular bus station, and this, coupled with the poor air quality in High Street, surely makes it even more important that we find ways to reduce town centre traffic.

Perhaps those opposed to any action in this respect can explain why almost every other town and city in the UK, and indeed further afield, have been able to make their centres more pedestrian friendly whereas we in Colchester are living in the last century.

Please don't cite geographical problems. Others with similar difficulties have done it and with the right mindset so can we.

It seems that our councils go round in circles when trying to deal with this matter.

Maybe it's time for them to employ town planning consultants to come up with a viable plan.

Norman Bailey

Cambridge Road, Colchester