With regard to the intended closure of Essex County Hospital in Colchester (Gazette, May 13), Andrew Armour, the hospital trust’s finance director, says people who oppose the closure are being too romantic and there would be massive benefits for patients.
I can think of none that would benefit the majority of patients, who would rather attend the centrally located Essex County Hospital than have to get two buses to attend Colchester General Hospital.
I would argue the unique, historic value of this building offers so much more to the town than the soulless, sectional blocks that are the general hospital.
Putting everything at one site where you cannot park is sheer folly.
It is sad that policy is influenced, it seems, solely through the eyes of the money men, whose blinkered vision extends to how the site would make “a lovely block of flats”.
D Joyce
Culver Street East
Colchester
...I am writing in respect of your report regarding Essex County Hospital.
I recall that when the old hospital management committees were disbanded in, I believe, the Seventies, the then Colchester Hospital Management Committee placed a preservation order on the entrance canopy of the hospital with the intention of ensuring this could never be demolished.
Verity Coulthard
Holland-on-Sea
...No, please not more “affordable” (or not) two bedroom apartments on the site of Essex County Hospital that people don’t want.
There is not enough space for the parking to start with.
Surely, there must be a better use for the buildings.
What a superb community centre it would make, with those great, big rooms (wards at present)!
How could the Big Society use it? Use some imagination please.
Val Best
Ivor Brown Court
Highwoods Square
Colchester
...Now they are planning to close the Essex County Hospital, does that mean all the staff who move to the general hospital, along with all the out-patients and visitors, will enjoy ample parking? It’s about time they built another floor above the present car parks. They have two years to do it, plenty of time!
And what about the radiation leak in the late Seventies?
How will that affect the sale?
Ken Warne
Beeleigh Close
Colchester
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here