We meet with members of the council and voiced our concerns and made suggestions but as usual with the council, it fell on deaf ears and the problem still exists.

At the time we collected our own data on the number of accidents that occurred, and they far outweighed the council's information and their reply to this was we only go on police reports.

ROAD infrastructure investment seemingly knows no bounds in New South Wales.

One project, the ongoing NSW and federally-funded Woolgoolga to Ballina $4.9 billion Pacific Highway project, will upgrade about 155 kilometres of highway with nine interchanges, more than 170 bridges and more than 350 connectivity structures including a new four-lane, 1.52-kilometre bridge over the Clarence River.

In a similar innovative vein, an elevated highway over Bathurst Street from the bottom of the Southern Outlet to the north of Foster Street would have far less land acquisition impacts and probably be a much cheaper, shorter and speedier option to the much talked about Launceston bypass.

THERE is no doubt that Geoff Smedley is spot on (The Examiner, August 1) and is touched with wisdom.

The lack of traffic flow planning from previous councils has escalated the problem that we now face. So far the proposed ideas and changes, all fall short of solving the problem and to be honest I am not qualified to even make a suggestion.

I do not blame councillors past or present as they are paid a pittance compared to state and federal pollies, but they are required to make huge planning decisions.

However, the bureaucrats under them are paid handsomely to closely monitor present and future city needs, and obviously, this has not happened.

Large salaries are paid for engineers to advise and support councillors as this is their chosen field of expertise.

The bad part is, it can only get worse, commuters in large cities are experiencing an average of 75 minutes to get to work and then they cannot park. Geoff Smedley is an engineer and a smart man perhaps the council should seek his advice.

YOU beauty, more beds for one of Tasmania's hospitals (The Examiner, September 3 ) but you have to feel sorry for anyone who will be sick enough to have to occupy one of them.

After getting a taxi, or a family member, or a friend to get them to the hospital because there isn't enough paramedics and ambulances, who is going to look after them?

Will it be the cleaners or some of the office staff, or again their family or friends, because there isn't sufficient medical staff at the moment?

But seeing how this Liberal Government and promises should never be in the same sentence, it will probably be many years before the beds arrive, and maybe by then, someone in the government will know how many beds they have.

Hopefully, it will be Rebecca White and Labor ministers answering questions.

Former Health Minister Michael Ferguson must be sitting back and thinking, "I didn't do such a bad job after all" because the system has certainly got worse since he got the flick.

IN response to Glennis Sleurink about the CBDs' disaster zone (The Examiner, September 5). Inner-city retailing is definitely haemorrhaging.

CityProm, paid representatives responsible for marketing Launceston City Heart, seem far more interested of late in supporting the wine and food industry instead of targeting action on the more broader issues such as addressing information signage in our new malls, installing local sculptures, adding brightly-coloured flowering baskets and bringing in buskers.

One of the new emerging problems is not parking, but street cleanliness and pedestrian safety. A strong inner-city police presence does deter unruly behaviour thus encouraging more potential customers into the shopping strip.

Bringing back a modern information kiosk into the city mall manned by volunteers should become a priority along with tea and coffee house attached.

Alternatively, roaming uniformed volunteer guides welcoming and advising tourists are a no brainer for adding a much-needed boost to the city retailers.

Action on all these suggestions can and will enliven our city heart. I believe it is time to reignite a healthy debate on how our retail businesses can be compensated by encouraging a new direction.

With suggestions mentioned, Launceston city malls will become a joy to visit and a happier place to open up our wallets.

Shine on Launceston, shine on.

ONE must give Basil Fitch credit for his persistence.

Having made up his mind about the Esk floodplain, he determinedly persists even though our $60 million was spent on levies to make it flood-proof.

And Basil, 30 years ago we had this heavy metal pollution drama that was addressed at the time the museum and university moved to the site. So your "red herrings" will merely be treated as those from someone who has refused to move with the times.

Better to applaud the developments as our city grows in significance. It's our polluted river that could do with your agitation.