THE ignorance of Mrs E Fell of Wroughton about the funding of the Steam Museum (EA 19/2) is surprising. I assume she is an avid reader of the Evening Advertiser.

She would have read in the past that when the council applied for the lottery grant in the early 90s consultants advised that about 200,000 visitors a year were expected and the subsidy would be no more than for the Railway Museum.

In the event, visitor numbers were less than half of those predicted, resulting in a loss nearing £1/2 million.

For this reason the council set up a Scrutiny Task Group. The Task Group made 57 recommendations, all of which were accepted. Some of the more obvious were:

Improved directional signage for pedestrians to the museum from all parts of the Town Centre, the bus and railway stations and the Outlet Village.

Improved road signs, including Totems at Bruce Street Bridges.

Improved web site information, especially for schools.

Improved marketing.

Cheaper car parking and better disabled car parking.

Increased use for corporate hospitality and promotions.

A "children's corner" with a working railway.

Relocation of the cafe to downstairs.

A 71/4" steam railway, initially from Rodbourne Road bridge to the museum; later to be extended at both ends to (i) Churchward car park and (ii) the Outlet Village.

Regular change of exhibits.

Visiting engines. The "City of Truro" is promised for 2004.

Coun G Gussefeld

Liden