A poser (From Barry And District News)

A poser

SO CLLR Rob Curtis proposes that Penarth people should pay for the upkeep of the pier, so as to release cash for schools, etc. Then who does he propose will pay for the upkeep of the new Headland Link, the modernist pier structure linking to the Barrage that his council are so keen on?

There's no mention of maintenance costs in the planning documents, but the novel £8m structure in such an exposed mid-beach position would surely average between £500,000 and £1m a year in repairs and maintenance, even without the lighting for which there's no money.

If Rob and his fellow councillors had gone for the simple option of a walkway/cycleway at the cliff base, that at least would have the benefit of stopping erosion of the cliff and saving homes and gardens above.

Maintenance costs would be much lower than for the mid-beach pier structure, and in part, covered by coastal defence funding.

As it is, can Cllr Curtis tell us what liability he and colleagues are bequeathing to future council taxpayers, or whether he expects tens of thousands of £25 plaques decorating the new structure?

Max Wallis Westbourne Road, Penarth.