Letter: It is illogical to say “use it or lose it”

IN the A&T (13th Dec) it was reported that the local police were saying “use it or lose it” regarding the police station or ‘desk’ at the Lymington Town Hall site.

Whoever says such a thing should not be in the force. It is illogical to say “use it or lose it” over a vital service to the community such as a police station. That is like saying “use it or lose it” regarding a hospital, a fire station, GP surgeries or even a cemetery. You only use a police station when you need it or when a crime has occurred and it is impossible to predict or know when such a thing will happen.

A police station is not a desk or counter of a shop, a takeaway or even a library. Such language demeans the role and its importance. It is a base for the local police and their presence is necessary whether people go to the counter or not. It is a vital service every town needs. More street patrols should be happening and a town centre site is the best option. Is the station advertising its presence enough with adequate signage on Avenue Road or around the town?

Secondly, on plans to reorganise local government (A&T 6th Dec) and the possible abolition of district councils and the creation of mega-councils with elected mayors. This would be a mistake in the case of the New Forest. If everything was done at Winchester at a county level people would feel removed and less connected from their councillors. I favour the NFDC moving to Lymington council offices which would satisfy the government’s cost-cutting part of the agenda and bring jobs to the town. An elected mayor of the New Forest district with additional powers might work. Then let Southampton and Portsmouth have their own elected mayors, but to centralise everything at county level would be wrong.

Thirdly, this year saw the 25th anniversary of St Barbe Museum and it rightfully won a prestigious award. Perhaps to mark the importance of the museum to the town, New Street could be renamed St Barbe Street so that visitors to the town would be reminded of the museum and of its location whenever they saw the street name. After all, it hasn't been 'new' for several hundred years and the town should celebrate its 'hidden gem' a little more.

James Wild

Lymington