The upcoming referendum on Hexham’s future is irrelevant given that transport is ignored.

Instead of more car parks, we need more recharging sites as a sustainable Britain moves rapidly to electric and hybrid vehicles.

Most importantly, we must not neglect buses.

Many of our ageing population are mobility impaired so we need to make it easier for shoppers to reach stores, cafés and market stalls.

Moving the bus station back to its original site in Priestpopple is thus an essential building block in restoring the town centre.

Cheap and easy access is key to bricks and mortar retail.

We also need a new frequent hop on hop off bus service linking the railway station, hospital, new bus station and Market Square.

A Hopper bus will make things easier for people from the town and surrounding villages to buy from market stalls or shops.

Tourists can be car-free and alight at the Beaumont or County hotels if staying overnight.

So back to the drawing board for the council to create a plan for the next 20 years, not the last century.

And as the home working revolution means more people decamping from the cities to market towns, Hexham could enjoy a clean green prosperous future.

MIKE FOSTER

Hexham