I write letters simply because of my concern for the future of Cinderford and indeed the wellbeing of its residents who share the landscape of the Linear Park, surely the finest   within the Forest of Dean.

My early schooling was at St Stephen's and Double View and therefore much of my life is associated with its lakes and Meadowcliff ponds. I have been involved with those councillors who spent years trying to improve the   highway infrastructure of which we have modelled and presented to the town council. In 1991 a   short but effective spur road by-passing Steam Mills school was successfully passed by the county council.  

Unfortunately over the last few years, with  the advent of coalfield regeneration clouding  many councillors' heads, we have to contend with those  running around trying to clone another Cinderford out on a floating landscape of old mining works.

Unfortunately within the Northern Quarter masterplan the various government agencies and district council seemed to have forgotten about the poor old Cinderford high-street traders and the employment aspiration of those employed at the Five Acres College.

If the new county council hands back the Wilderness perhaps it is ideally qualified to  spearhead the way forward for students of the future to understand that wildlife and local produce are essential to our survival.

Neatly tucked away in the Cinderford masterplan the urban practitioners and designers  have dreamt  up a grand detour for those who may wish to access Cinderford from the north to do their  shopping. Not only will it be a mile longer through various junctions, but en-route they will be confronted by  a large supermarket before choosing whether to continue on to shop in Cinderford High Street. Further while the housing blocks proposed for the Northern Quarter are designed by   urban architects and may suit places like Milton Keynes, they do not have a decent sized garden between them and are geared up exclusively for supermarket requirements.  

Before we as a society systematically wipe out all our pollinating wildlife, we should realise that the future is down to us to grow our own food and not rely on supermarkets to import produce which travels thousands of miles. Yes, you may be able to purchase foreign apples and milk a little cheaper – but remember that supermarkets are crucifying our horticulture and farmers in doing so.  

Finally in the hope someone will listen before its too late, we could follow the example set by Newent   – which is a Transition Town concerning local produce. The concept is to work locally together to meet the challenges presented when oil runs out and when people realise our future is our environment. I for one would work to bring about a more localised Transition concept into Cinderford.

– Councillor Andrew Gardiner, Ruardean.