BUS STATION U-TURN

After all the promises made by the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties (if elected, to work together to retain the present bus station), what happens? Within three weeks of being elected, they announce that despite all the posturing before the election and the wishes of more than 18,000 people they represent objecting to the Riverlights scheme, that it would go ahead anyway. What else for the future then? Demolish what little remains of the city's heritage?

Get into bed with any developer prepared to throw a few pieces of silver into the coffers? Build a waste disposal unit in the most polluted part of the city? The council could push through plans for the completion of the inner ring road without taking into account the cumulative effect on the environment. Consider the need to carry out restoration work now on some of our landmarks such as St Helen's House, before they too vanish into a pile of rubbish. Oh dear. I forgot - these don't bring in any monies, so let them get into a poor state, then demolish them, claiming that they are beyond repair.

Sweeps the problem nicely under the carpet, doesn't it? It is now time for a complete change regarding the running of our city. All three major parties have now proved that no matter what they promise before they are elected, it goes straight out of the window in the endless struggle for power. If they have any conscience whatsoever, the newly-elected Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors should resign for misleading the public in their pre-election promises.

It is becoming clear that the only way to get any worthwhile public representation in this city is to go the way of Mansfield and elect independent councillors who take on the responsibility, not on a party ticket and with no connection of affiliations to any political bodies, but are there to actually represent the charge payers whom they represent. Mr A. Dunn

Campaigners who want to save Derby's bus station have accused council leader Maurice Burgess of a U-turn on the controversial Riverlights scheme. They claimed that, before he became the leader of Derby City Council, Mr Burgess was on the side of the people who want to save the 1930s Art Deco station on the Morledge and preserve the River Gardens. Members of the Bus Station Action Group, which was formed to oppose the Riverlights scheme, said that they believed this because Mr Burgess went along to a demonstration that the group held in August, 2001.

Mr Burgess has refuted claims that he has performed a U-turn and said that he never said that he wanted to save the bus station but that he wanted to preserve the Riverside Gardens. Campaigners hit out after Nottingham-based developer MetroHolst revealed its latest £83m proposals to build a new 29-bay airport-style bus and coach station, bars, restaurants, 150 apartments and an office block on the site.

Rosemarie Reeves, a member of the action group, said, "I feel very let down about this proposed development. It's horrifying. It will change the skyline forever and damage the Riverside Gardens, which is one of Derby's valuable green lungs. I thought that Maurice Burgess was on our side because he came to the demonstration - but it seems he has done a U-turn." Another campaigner, Pat Woolley, of Maple Avenue, Littleover, said that she was "appalled and disgusted" by the new plans.

She said, "I just don't know how the council could consider putting apartments and an office block on the site. And how will the Riverside Gardens be improved if we have high-rise offices and flats overlooking it? I can't believe the Liberal Democrats are going along with this. They are supposed to be responsible people that are elected by the people to carry out our wishes."

Mr Burgess said, "In 2001, I went along to the picnic as I wanted to find out what the group was talking about. I made it clear at the time I was interested in protecting the Riverside Gardens and that's still what I'm interested in. My stance hasn't changed. I've never said I wanted to save the bus station; I'm interested in protecting the Riverside Gardens. I went to the picnic to listen and learn what people had to say. The Riverside Gardens will be affected because more people will use them but they will be safeguarded and not developed. If this scheme goes ahead, I'm determined to see how we can enhance Bass' Rec, which is a public open space but is a neglected corner of the city."

The notices have gone up promising the imminent demise of the bus station, an asset that has been neglected for over a decade by those trusted with looking after it for us. The new bus shelters are in place, all ready for October 23. On that day, the city council will get its own way, in spite of the public that it is supposed to represent. Councillor Maurice Burgess will, no doubt, be pleased with himself, possibly as pleased as one councillor who memorably stated that he liked the coloured lights.

MetroHolst must have been rubbing its hands, a council with absolute power and a development in the name of "improvement". There is clearly something wrong with the internal workings of our council. Past disasters include: Derby railway station (Nottingham kept theirs); the Cockpit car park, with its salty bricks and damp patches; the county courthouse, with its mis-matched roof; and the Greater Derby Primary Care Trust building, with its curious 1970s greenhouse meets Fisher-Price wooden bricks style.

What is going on? There is a theory that children behave badly because they think that it is the right thing to do. Maybe the planning department thinks it is trying to mend the city. Instead of Cityscape, it should be called Mend-a-City. They have a curious way of dealing with critics, speak out and go to jail. The bus station is the last of its kind. This unique asset will be replaced by offices, flats, pubs, bingo and slot machines, all in a flood-plain/pollution-control environment.

The bus concourse, which apparently has doors that are 11 feet high if you look at the brochure, will be on the far side, so that all public transport users will have to walk an extra 50 yards or so from East street. Still, they don't matter. The council wants to look good to those it respects, not the people of Derby. Take one last look at this unique building, England's last Art Deco bus station. Paul Grosse