THE model of the Waitrose development produced by the Marlow Group makes the development look big as they intended it to do.

But take your eye down to street level and imagine the building faced in brick and it shrinks into size and becomes just another back development characteristic of many English country towns.

So stop worrying about the size leave that to the planners and our elected representatives to come to a decision.

We cannot ignore the problem of traffic in West Street and Spittal Street. During construction on the Riley Road and Portland sites, lasting perhaps three years, we will be faced with traffic much greater than now.

Two things need to be done.

Restrict traffic from using the A4155 as a "rat run" between Wycombe and Henley. Put traffic that has to come into Marlow on an equal footing with pedestrians.

A Transport Regulation Order set up by Bucks County Council to limit the speed of traffic along West Street, Spittal Street, Chapel Street and High Street to 5mph would have the desired effect.

Second problem is that of parking during the loss of the Riley Road Site. We should make the majority of our off-street parking two hours maximum to cater for shoppers and urgently provide an eight-hour park-and-ride scheme for office workers.

We should be optimistic and in the words of the town guide, look to a Marlow that has so much to offer its residents, from fine schools, a compact and bustling centre, strong community spirit and enviable countryside close by.

A major retail development in the town centre will increase trade to the shops and businesses so long as we can alter the balance in favour of the pedestrian over the present dominant motor vehicle.

David Gill, Institute Road Marlow