TAKE BRIDGE MONEY BACK

14 July 2005

The sorry tale of the Slip Bridge continues with your report (Council clanger on consultation over bridge fate, July 8) that Swansea Council leader Councillor Holley is unhappy with the results of the public consultation which cost us £35,000. Surely this saga has provided enough material for Mal Pope to write another opera. At the time I wrote to complain about the biased nature of the survey and I also stated that it was unscientific, as respondents did not have to supply their names and addresses only postcodes. There was nothing to stop people submitting numerous forms.

Now for the first time we learn that a majority of the respondents voted in favour of retaining the Slip Bridge. This is surprising considering the fact that the information supporting the options was so biased.

Being a politician, Councillor Holley will understand better than most the meaning of a majority vote. Presumably, if the vote had been in his favour it would have been used to support the removal of the Slip Bridge. However, he wishes to avoid this majority decision by complaining that "the process was prone to being influenced by a pressure group".

This could have been done by either the "For" or "Against" factions yet Councillor Holley offers no proof that it actually happened.Swansea Council employed Opinion Research Services to conduct a survey which has proved to be a dismal failure. It should not be paid for this contract and if it has been paid then the council's legal department should take action to recover the full £35,000.

Mike Stroud
Gabalfa Road
Sketty
Swansea