MR N Pauley is not mistaken (Letters, April 22). The letter on the Causeway was indeed written by the current Deputy Mayor of Godmanchester. And, notwithstanding that the town council is a non-political body, as private individuals, councillors have the s

MR N Pauley is not mistaken (Letters, April 22). The letter on the Causeway was indeed written by the current Deputy Mayor of Godmanchester. And, notwithstanding that the town council is a non-political body, as private individuals, councillors have the same right as anyone else to offer up an opinion on important items in the town, which is what I did.

People continually claim that the Causeway is part of our heritage, a beauty spot and the Jewel in the Crown of the town. But in the summer that is just not true. At the height of the summer it is a smelly green mess, with rubbish spread across most of its width because the river flow is at least 30 metres distant.

And, if nothing is done, there will be no fish spawning in the area, because the water is likely to be just a few inches deep. The longer we delay in taking any action, the faster the area will silt up, so that pretty soon we will be able to walk directly from the slipway to the Chinese Bridge.

I have no wish to "concrete over" the Causeway, but the current pavement is far too narrow: even two prams cannot easily pass. And to add 30 centimetres to the height of the wall will simply look ridiculous and be even more out of balance.

I am suggesting that we make much more of the area. The increased wall height pushed no more than three metres out as part of the flood defences should form the front of a pedestrian area, with seats and flower beds. The area between the pavement and this area would also include flower beds. I believe that this would add considerably to the character of the area - it would not just be 'concreting it over'.

M COHEN

Croftfield Road

Godmanchester