I KNOW the Echo has given this story lots of coverage in past months, but I still feel Ashley Road has had a raw deal.

The council is adamant it has done right by us, but the demolition of a perfectly good building was the final nail in the street's proverbial coffin.

You could argue the improvements along the length of the road are wasted monies if people continue to stay away from the businesses and the community scheme is not fully rolled out and adopted by more of the local shops.

The last minute stay of execution was voted down yet again by three votes.

Again the vote was so close how can it be that council bury their heads to local opinion and the needs of the community?

I, along with others, looked into reopening the loos but due to the legal and complicated tie-in this required it was deemed too difficult, but what was obvious from our investigation of the building was it only needed a small amount of time and money to make them reusable.

The speed at which they were then demolished shows a contempt for the area and I duly warn other parts of Poole to watch their conveniences as they are on the council’s list - you will be next!

Sadly for us it’s too late, so we are watching the council’s promise to include more businesses in the toilet scheme, but I feel it’s too little, too late.

If there is a change of direction after the local elections maybe, just maybe, there will be some redirection to this harmful and derisive policy.

Mike Ockendon, Ashley Rd Traders