HAVING been away from Altrincham for nearly all November, I expected on my return to find the work on the main road to be completed:some hopes!

It now seems to be undergoing even more drastic upheaval.

I am certain that I am not alone in wondering why all this major reconstruction has been necessary.The road structure seemed to be adequately strong,and there have been no collapsing sewers. All that this work has done, for the past 12 months, along with the re-paving of the George Street area, is to bring about the loss of even more businesses.

If the purpose of the renovation of Railway Street has been to provide loading bays, one might ask why?

There is a perfectly adequate road running parallel to Railway Street which was designed for loading. The problem is that access to this road has been blocked off at Goose Green and Moss Lane: it is even cobbled, inline with council paving policy!

It seems that neither the council, nor Altrincham Forward, has come to terms with the fact that high street business requirements have changed with the advent of the Internet, and large supermarkets.

Many of the businesses which were part and parcel of a town in the 50 years since the last war are no longer necessary, or viable. Most of the high street businesses are part of the 'service' industry:hairdressers, opticians, solicitors, estate agents, bars and restaurants: even banks are down-sizing, as most customers use on-line banking.

What is in demand is accommodation: Altrincham has good transport connections to Manchester and other Towns.

Many of the properties on Railway Street could be adapted to provide housing.

Certainly, most of the existing businesses on the hospital side could be relocated to the many other empty premises, and all those properties between Moss Lane and the hospital could be demolished,and replaced by apartments.

David Olliver, Altrincham