Community leader throws down the gauntlet- roundabout or jobs?

A community leader has thrown down the gauntlet to protesters opposing the removal of Leek's landmark roundabout. Cllr A Hart  says that people have a choice between the traffic island next to the Nicholson War memorial  or a £45 million investment  and hundreds of new jobs

Mr Hart spoke out as a petition to save the roundabout was launched to present to parliament. Under the Sainsbury plan to develop the area the roundabout would be demolished and replaced with traffic lights. Mr Hart said that under the present administration was elected administration was elected in May when several people stood on the roundabout issue

" At the election we were given a mandate by the people in the strongest possible way to carry on therefore the majority of the people are happy. Also the parish poll held in January where the majority of the people did not vote. People say that we are not creating jobs, when we do then we are beaten off with a stick. The question needs to be asked. Do you want the investment of £45 million or do you want the roundabout"

Cllr Pam Wood who was elected to the council on the platform of saving the roundabout believes that  Sainsburys has bought Leek." It must be stated that the majority are not against the jobs or the investment which is a great thing, but not at the expense of the town centre"

Cllr Hart said it was madness to suggest that Sainsbury's has bought Leek. " What message is this sending out to investors who want to invest in Leek. Many people have been made redundant and are crying out for jobs. This is a real opportunity and we need to inject some reality into the situation