ANGRY traders have decided to run their own consultation on a £60m town centre redevelopment plan. Shopkeepers in Letchworth GC say that although an official survey about the proposals for the town showed favourable results, many businesses and residents

ANGRY traders have decided to run their own consultation on a £60m town centre redevelopment plan.

Shopkeepers in Letchworth GC say that although an official survey about the proposals for the town showed favourable results, many businesses and residents are against the plan.

Now they want to gauge opinion again.

Terry Cox, who runs Cox's fish and chip shop in Arena Parade with brother Mick, said: "People still believe that everyone's in favour of it and we're not.

"I just want the people of Letchworth GC and surrounding areas to be aware that we're 100 per cent against it."

Mr Cox said that he has talked to the vast majority of the independent retailers in the area affected by the redevelopment and they are opposed to the proposals.

Many of these traders are now joining with Mr Cox to place a full page advert in The Comet in two weeks' time. The advertisement will seek residents' views on the planned redevelopment.

Mr Cox said: "I'd like to see a great response from people."

Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation spent £29,000 consulting residents and businesses on its extensive plans to redevelop The Arena and The Wynd.

The Foundation received 438 replies to this and said that these responses showed "a favourable outcome".

When told of the traders' plans, Heritage Foundation director general Stuart Kenny said: "It is entirely up to the traders what they do."

l Shoppers who enjoy browsing outside one of Letchworth GC's longest-established shops are being encouraged to write in to protect its traditional pavement stalls.

Paul Wallace, from David's Bookshop, said that they have "a sneaking suspicion" the Heritage Foundation's plans for 40 degree car parking in Eastcheap would affect their second-hand book stalls.

Mr Wallace said: "We are concerned and if people value the activity which goes on outside we would like them to write in and say so. We will be making our own views known.

"In general we are in favour of wider pavements all down the street."

However, Mr Wallace said they were not against the redevelopment in principle.

"We're generally in favour of regeneration and we think we can't just say still," he added.