A LETTER sent in to the Weekly News last week has prompted a heated debate in Highbridge surrounding the current state of the town, and its perceived ‘scandalous decline’.

The letter, that described the town as ‘ghastly’, ‘dreadful’, and ‘unattractive’, sparked discussion within the community on the current outlook of the town, and what could be done to improve it.

Jane Dawson’s letter labelled the town council as ‘pusillanimous and ineffectual’, and highlighted the old Highbridge Hotel, the tattoo parlour, and the library as examples of decline.

Some Highbridge residents have hit back at the comments as ‘very harsh’, but councillor John Parkes has said he agrees that the comments ‘do have a certain resonance’.

Jane Dawson’s letter read: “If you want to hear the sound of a town dying on its feet, just pop along to Highbridge in Somerset, I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

She believes that the arsonists that burned down the ‘ghastly’ old Highbridge Hotel ‘actually did us a favour’.

“It is just a seemingly permanent abomination and a symbol of the town’s scandalous decline.”

The tattoo parlour is also described as ‘probably the ugliest shop frontage in Highbridge’.

“This dreadful place was truly frightful when it was open and should never have been allowed by the pusillanimous and ineffectual Burnham and Highbridge Town Council in the first place.”

She also berated the number of shops that have closed down in recent times, only to be replaced by ‘kebab and takeaway food joints’.

“If any more places close down, Highbridge will start to resemble one of those ghost towns that you used to see in those old Wild West films.”

“We don’t even have a doctor’s surgery in the town, like we used to, but instead we have the Highbridge Medical Centre, about two miles away, that is actually nearer to Burnham-On-Sea than it is to Highbridge.”

She continues by describing the town as lawless, with ‘no police to be seen anywhere’, and cars and vans speeding at all hours.

Highbridge library is described as a ‘pointless irrelevance’ and empty most days, even on the days when it is meant to be open.

“For some perverse reason the lights are left on all night, every night, at taxpayers’ expense.”

Reacting to the letter on Facebook, Highbridge residents have hit back at the comments, labelling them as ‘very harsh’.

Lisa Bowsher said: “I agree it might not be pretty, but surely we should all support local shops and businesses or they won't be able to stay.

“I find the comments very harsh, and having retired here three years ago from Bristol, we find the sense of community so much better than a big town.

Sarah White agrees that shopping at local stores would help revive the town.

She said: “Supporting your local shops is the answer in any small town, you have to use it or lose it.

“If the lady thinks it's such a terrible place why did she move to this area?”

The same view is held by Sharon Reid, who said: “There are many people trying to better the town with vision towards the future, and custom from residents goes a long way in ensuring the success of a business.

“With the determination of those who want to see improvement within their community, and local people using what is on offer, it can only improve and grow.”

Other residents pointed the finger at the council as a factor in the town’s decline.

Charlie Tillam said: “Maybe what the lady is trying to say is there's nothing changing, and there is no money spent on the town by the councils.

“It needs a massive revamp and upgrade to encourage more businesses to stay as I've noticed quite a lot of them up for sale.

“I lived here most of my life and not much has changed.”

While Karen Walker said: “The problem is not with the town, or the people, but with the council, and enforcers, everyone seems encouraged to break the rules.

“Recognition, care, development, and a bit of financial backing is all it needs.

“I believe Highbridge could be a lovely place, see beyond the obvious.”

Highbridge councillor John Parkes reacted to the comments by assuring residents that he will continue to speak up for Highbridge so that it does not become the potential ‘ghost town’ that is alluded to in the letter.

He said: “I continue to challenge, stand up and ask those 'awkward questions' about Highbridge as vociferously as I can to try to ensure that local issues are highlighted, and Highbridge isn't continually regarded as a 'poor relation' to its neighbouring town of Burnham.”

Although he says he is ‘proud to live in and represent people in Highbridge’, Cllr Parkes agrees that the observations ‘do indeed have a certain resonance’.

He added: “However, it is important that groups such as the Highbridge Chamber of Trade, the Highbridge Neighbourhood Planning Focus Group and others such as Ms. Dawson continue to highlight what needs to be done to help rejuvenate and regenerate our town before it is too late and as she states, it 'dies on its feet'.

 “There are others like Ms. Dawson, and myself, who care passionately about our town and its perceived demise.

“What needs to happen is for local people to feel empowered enough to raise their collective voices about Highbridge and for policy makers at parish, district and county level to listen and take heed of what needs to be done to improve our town otherwise its 'scandalous decline' will continue unabated.”