Dear editor,

The statement by a Labour Councillor that a Tidal Gateway would “KILL BARROW” because more people would leave than would come in shows just how negative and lacking in ambition the town has become.

The fact that the population has been dropping for many years and is forecast to fall even further over the next ten years does not seem to have registered .The closure of Marks and Spencer, McBrides and many other small shops and businesses together with the fact that two out of every three students that go to university do not return to the town only goes to confirm these predictions and should make us realise that we must take advantage of the fact that our wonderful shipyard has a 20 year order book in which time we must look for additional and alternative means of employment.

I am afraid that 150 years of geographical isolation seems to have given many Barrovians an inferiority complex as they seem reluctant to face up to any competition from the outside world no matter how small . As I see it the only advantage that Morecambe and Lancaster have over us is their closeness to the M6 which would of course be much reduced by a Tidal Gateway with a dual carriageway. Our forefathers with their vision left us some wonderful buildings and infrastructure such as our Town Hall and Abbey House, some lovely wide tree lined roads especially Abbey Road in the Spring when the daffodils are out so why should we be afraid of competition? With grassy ,sandy and stony beaches all around Walney Island, wild life at both the north and south ends, and a wonderful sightseeing coast road to the lovely market town of Ulverston why should we be afraid of competition? Add to this a wonderful modern hospital(soon to have more investment) many excellent schools and colleges , a fine library, and a Forum providing live entertainment, Why should we be afraid of competition? With 4 lovely Golf Courses (Henry Longhurst the BBC commentator was quoted as saying that the best view from the 1st tee of any golf course in the country was at Barrow) fine cricket, football and rugby pitches why should we be afraid of competition? Being only20 minutes drive from Lake Windermere and the Lake District I can assure our doubting friends that we have no need to be afraid of competition.

What we need therefore is to take our message to the world and to start with we will have to get rid of our geographical isolation, which we can do with the Tidal Gateway. This I believe will be an advantage to Morecambe (with it`s new Eden tourist attraction) as well as Barrow while it`s benefits to climate change will be an advantage to the world.. Our heritage is built on people who competed at the highest level both in sport and in industry. Willie Horne, Emlyn Hughes and Sir Len Redshaw are three that come readily to mind. Let us follow their example and fight to make this a viable and thriving town for our children and grandchildren.We owe them no less. If you don`t go in to bat you don`t get any runs as we say in the cricket world.

Alan Pemberton

Conservative councillor Hawcoat Ward