I WOULD like to thank Jayne Smailes (chief executive of Lydney Town Council) for responding to my letter about the removal of the old roundabout on Primrose playing field. However, she failed to answer the key question posed on what the costs were of this exercise overall.

She suggests that the old roundabout was regularly repaired to keep it going.

I, for one, never saw any ‘repairs’ being carried out and it certainly had not been painted for some time.

Other than a drop of oil, a lick of paint and now and then checking any lose bolts etc, which doesn’t sound onerous, what else is there?

Jayne mentions an external organisation that recommended its removal but does not state on what grounds this recommendation was made and why.

I can think of numerous and very famous cast iron structures around the country that are over 100 years old and still going strong.

Jayne is also incorrect in stating that it has been replaced with another roundabout.

As my letter stated, it has in fact been replaced by some sort of plastic seat.

I have seen children sitting on it and standing on it so I am sure this will suit their more sedentary lifestyles.

Now they can just sit and look at their mobile phones on it rather than expend any effort pushing a roundabout.

Jayne’s final comment is laughable as I really cannot see how this static plastic seat, to quote, “will be as much used and loved” – obviously she has not seen it.

I am sure this seat will not be ‘loved’ or last as long as the old roundabout did – the so called zip line didn’t.

I just hope that any future decisions like this are considered with a bit more thought and opinions from local residents sought first – let’s also hope that our iron horse is not next for the chop.

– Caroline, Lydney.