Ray Griffin’s letter contains one factually true element. I did indeed make a mistake in writing ten and not six. The rest of Mr Griffin’s letter has more holes than a colander. But, even then, how does the fact that you can go out on the street and collect six, rather than ten, signatures to force a parish poll help his argument?

I reject absolutely Mr Griffin’s claim that I acted against the interests of Dowell Street residents. When I was a councillor, from 1991 to 1999, and for part of that time a chairman of the Honiton Community Centre Association, I recall well that our core supporters included Dowell Street residents. Indeed, I argued for the signing of Honiton from the M5 to be changed to re-route traffic away from the A373. Not because of the siting of the community centre, but for strategic reasons. How this can be perceived as holding anybody to ransom is ludicrous.

I could go on, but what’s the point? A determined town council whose only interest is the good of the community has decided to go ahead. The project will happen. It’s time for the objectors now to live with that, and abandon argument, which the people of Honiton are tired of hearing.

Alan Tootill

via email