I have had several discussions with people responsible for the development of the town centre and have said to them prior to building the footbridge, not to build a bridge but to build a barrage across the river with a pedestrian way over the top and electrical generators in the bottom.


When you consider that the weir has powered Allinson's flour mill for 150 years, surely some electrical generation should have been considered. I do not know whether a feasibility study was ever carried out on this weir, but if not then it was obviously very foolish, bearing in mind the current energy situation.
Regarding the refurbishment of the railway station, I suggest that the railway line to York be brought into passenger service (it is already in service for freight trains).


The station should be renamed Castleford Henry Moore, as a lot of tourists in York, particularly the Americans and Japanese, come to Yorkshire with an expectation of finding some connection with Henry Moore. There would be demand for a day service between York and Castleford where the town can show to the world some of its heritage and benefit from the tourist revenue this would attract.


I have mentioned these suggestions to council planners several times, but if this is going to be like my discussions over the River Aire barrage and be ignored again. What do readers think?


DEREK STOKER
Cambridge Street, Castleford