From J. Richards, East Cowes:

First we had Newport Football Club — moved from where Marks and Spencer and Morrisons are now to ‘a new wonderful opportunity site’ at St George’s.

That freed up land for those two stores — only now it wants ‘state-of-the-art facilities’ on the Race Course — thus freeing up St George’s for more stores.

They say it will be great being near Newport  but not as near as St George’s and much more out of town.

 Meanwhile, Mole Country Stores has, yet again, had planning permission denied to expand its facilities and to use an existing bungalow for a cafe as it is ‘out of town’ and will need car access, which is not to be encouraged.

What are the farmers supposed to do? Catch a bus with a bale of straw under their arm and go to one of the multitude of coffee shops in town for refreshment when they could meet like-minded people on an existing site?

Where is the logic and consistency in all of this?

Coppins Bridge is a total disaster most of the time and particularly after 4pm.

It is useless suggesting more people use the buses if they are unable to move for ages to even get onto the roundabout.

When you have finally arrived in Newport the increased parking charges are a total disincentive to stop and shop there.

Having spent a weekend in Eastbourne, which was thriving, one of our party noticed that parking was 20p for 20 minutes and 30p for 30 minutes.

Where is the logic of increasing charges so fewer people stay? Lower them and have increased footfall.

People go via Newport rather than catch the floating bridge, which can’t run at low tide.

I ventured onto it as a foot passenger during the week and the noise on take-off was amazing — as if one of the chain cogs had broken off and a sledge hammer was being used to thump it.

And finally, the ‘dump’ fiasco and numerous temporary traffic lights everywhere.What can one say?

I realise cuts have to be made and work has to be done. However, as one coach driver stated on his first trip to the Island — it is becoming a nightmare and he hoped not to come back in May. He would rather swap for a mainland destination.