TRAVELLING around the borough recently with a friend from London, we were both impressed with both the road improvements and the huge building developments that have been completed or that are still in progress in the town.

Looking around Bournemouth, it is difficult to realise that this is a time of national austerity.

While the council has been getting less financial support from central government it has, at the same time, been able to keep our council taxes static for the past four years by careful planning and making savings, e.g. on improved street lighting which is saving us hundreds of thousands of pounds a year. While many towns and cities are really struggling, Bournemouth seems to be forging ahead.

It is true that, quite often, the work that is being done can be really irritating for motorists who are held up by dug-up roads and traffic diversions but at least work is being done and at the best time of year, i.e. before the worst of the weather comes and while the town is not full of tourist traffic.

I am not a regular supporter of the Conservative party but I have to admit that I am impressed with the way our council is looking after Bournemouth.

So I would like to offer them my thanks for what they have already achieved and to wish them not only a Happy Christmas but also an even more prosperous New Year.

JOHN MURPHY, Derby Road, Bournemouth