Sir,

Thank you to Mr Witcombe for his invitation to join in the fight for Monmouth (Beacon Letters 15th February).

While I agree with his observations, I can't help thinking that his stance won't, unfortunately, get us very far.

Everyone is angry about the economy, cuts in services, unemployment. Everyone will be affected.

But the point must surely be to move forward, not simply deny that change is necessary. The question is 'Which way now, for Monmouth?'

While I don't want to see the ambulances gone or people unemployed, Monmouth will make the transition into a bleak economic future one way or another.

The latest plans to turn Monmouth into a dormitory town won't help and should be opposed on the grounds that this will hamper the town's ability to adapt.

And while the council could, for example, negotiate cheaper energy rates for us, or commission our own ambulance centre with local staff and services, or be producing concrete plans for developing a sustainable local economy, steps like these will not be taken if we are simply defending the status quo.

Anthony Biggs

(Monmouth)