FULL STORY: I read with great interest the views of Councillor Mick Salih regarding the £13,000 allotment fence.

Now it is very easy, when telling half a story, to get a totally wrong impression. Mick Salih, being a politician for a good number of years, is a master at this.

The full story is that there is a cycle/footpath that connects Norton estate with Ball Green Primary School. The only problem is that when the path reaches Ball Green (at the allotment site) it has a right turn up the main Whitfield Road. At this point, cyclists and pedestrians have to go on to the main road for about 100 to 200 yards, then enter the school at a lower point. This is very dangerous and quite unnecessary.

To place a cycle/footpath alongside an allotment with broken down fences, overgrown trees and bushes, where there is a history of drug taking and all sorts of anti social behaviour, would be dangerous to say the least. It would border on being stupid.

In about 10 weeks' time, there will be a cycle/footpath alongside a secure allotment fence. The result: a safer route to school.

Happy parents. Happy headmistress.

Happy allotment owners, and also happy local residents.

The ward budget is not the councillor's budget.

It is to provide those things that are needed by those in the ward – the things they think are the priorities, not what we councillors wished for.

It would seem that everyone is happy except Mr Salih.

Still, you just cannot win them all.

COUNCILLOR ALAN RIGBY

Norton