Roy Phillips, of St Joseph's Court, Carlton Place, Teignmouth, writes:

Reading last week's edition of the Teignmouth Post makes me seriously wonder if elected officials and local councillors live in the same area as I and thousands of other residents.

We read that Teignmouth is set for a 'boom year' – a claim based on projections of things yet to happen and again seen through rose-tinted glasses. The basic fact is that the first real boost to our town's economy was Waitrose taking over the Co-op premises in Brook Hill. That was based on quality research by Waitrose, I gather, unlike previous thousands of pounds spent over the years by district councils on 'retail consultants'.

The development at Broadmeadow is at long last and after many years coming to completion. As for the new Carlton Theatre development, if more of the £10m plus that Teignbridge received from Morrisons had been invested, a new building with further community-based uses should have been included, while the whole project should have been been made at least self-financing.

As for the Wetherspoon pub/cafe, that's just more competition for existing businesses while downgrading an area which should be for quality shops and services. It has been more than 12 years since the development of the Fish Quay was first proposed by the then chairman of the Fishermen's Association – a proposal which should have been undertaken years ago.

Finally, the rundown Brunswick Street area: for so many years we were told that a flood prevention scheme was needed, so nothing was done – not even extending the area for much needed car parking. Some of us were urging this development 15 or more years ago. As for public consultation, if it runs true to form, the main decision factor will, yet again, be how much the district council will gain financially.

What Teignmouth residents have seen, especially during the last 12 months, is further cutbacks in services to the vulnerable and ever-increasing costs. Proposals for further reductions in our local hospital services continues to ignore the fact that for many people it is impossible to travel and presupposes that somehow people can just arrive at Torbay or Dawlish hospitals.

I have always believed that the only truly good thing that came out of the sacrifices and destruction of the last war was our National Health Service. Now even that is up for grabs.

If, I repeat if, Teignbridge are truly interested in Teignmouth's financial wellbeing, they should immediately increase the car parking area in Brunswick Street, and review all parallel car parking in the area with a view to providing angled parking spaces. Then, long term, an extension to the Point car park must be considered. Teignbridge can well hold the council tax when its main preoccupation seems to be the removal or diminishing of real care in the community, ie basic services, ease of transport problems, etc, etc.

How many more generations do Teignmouth residents have to wait?