I OPPOSE the removal of one whole football pitch in the plans for Huntingdon s Riverside Park. These pitches are used by several football leagues and by many of the park s visitors during the football season. Several passing football teams, including inte

I OPPOSE the removal of one whole football pitch in the plans for Huntingdon's Riverside Park. These pitches are used by several football leagues and by many of the park's visitors during the football season.

Several passing football teams, including international, have also used these facilities. A major Premiership footballer, Darren Bent, of Tottenham and England, was discovered by a scout while playing on these pitches: he used to live here and signed the petition opposing the removal of a football pitch. It is insane to think our kids can walk safely up to Kings Ripton to play their football there.

I would also like to demand that HDC desist from hardening over an of the grassed area for spurious reasons for overspill fairs. Traditional fairs and circuses have been using these grounds for over 100 years, and there has been no request by them for extension onto this green land.

It is only because Luminus and Huntingdonshire District Council have decided to sell their car parks for housing, and HDC's deputy leader said Riverside Park would have its grass dug up over his dead body. In any case, a new enlarged car park has been created in Godmanchester at great cost to Council Tax payers.

The Riverside Park is also part of the Great Ouse flood plain. Every winter it floods and soaks through the grassed areas. It would be unwise to tamper with Mother Nature, as flooding could impact on Luminus headquarters and the new enormous spectacular building being erected where the old HDC office stood.

There is no mention of adequate lighting to be installed in the park for security reasons (solar lighting could be used), given that more and more drinkers and druggies frequent this lovely park during the night. More community cameras should be installed for the safety of park users, or park-keepers should patrol.

On the front of the consultation document there is no mention of the boat hire facility that is slap in the middle of the boat club and children's play area. Given that HDC will be spending thousands of pounds of our Council Tax and grant money to beautify the Riverside Park, what will happen to this eyesore?

Councillors were elected to represent the aspirations of the electorate in Huntingdon and agreed not to harden over any grassed areas. Are they allowing their officers and managers to dictate to them?

ROBERT COSSEY-MOWLE

Hartford Road

Huntingdon