THE letter of Cllr Ernest, in last week’s letters section complains that I failed to disclose my address and telephone number after making his request.

I really don’t know whether he regularly opens his inbox.

It would reveal that I replied with this information by return the same day.

Cllr Ernest also suggests that I was dilatory in not taking action to the notice of development.

He knew full well, from my original email to him, that I had already registered a complaint to the planning department.

That planning application proceeded and what appears as a large grey corrugated extension, looking more like a warehouse, now faces directly on to Plymouth Road and takes up more limited car parking space on site.

However, the parking and attendant traffic problem along Lower Plymouth Road (which impacts on Forrest Road, The Paddocks and Cliffside constituents as well) now appears to be outside the remit of our councillors and particularly Cllr Ernest, which I do find somewhat surprising and disturbing, if correct.

But seeking to detract from my main observation about the longevity of councillors generally is neither helpful or considerate.

Local authorities and their citizens will not be served well by those who attempt to cling on to office when they have been far too long in the job.

Also, the attempt to split the Tory vote, by standing as an Independent candidate, will undoubtedly please the other parties but maybe that’s just what being a councillor is all about.

Robert Edwards

Plymouth Road

Penarth