I WRITE in response to the letter from Brendan Page 'Parkside project should not be a political football' (Dear Star May 25). I believe that the letter was totally misleading and I would like to ask Mr Page the following questions.

Does he believe that we should transfer HGV from our roads to rail and if the answer to this question is, yes, can he identify a better site for a freight terminal in the North West?

It is not the case that if the terminal is not located on a presently undeveloped site then it will have to be located in an urban area, which will cause the sorts of problems that he has identified in his letter?

How can he claim that the site will lead to increased HGV traffic when he has not even seen the planning application or the proposals to restrict HGV traffic entering and leaving the site?

I would now like to address the issues that Mr Page has raised regarding my own position and in order to set the record straight.

If Mr Page waits for a few weeks he will see that the planning application sets out in some detail how the developer intends to make sure that the HGV traffic is kept away from our urban roads and it will also set out their plans for improving public transport systems in the area.

The application will also identify the employment opportunities that will be available if the scheme is developed and it will also demonstrate that the scheme will create new jobs which do not presently exist in the region.

The application will also demonstrate how the developer intends to open up public space around the site and how he will ensure public access to land which is currently in private ownership.

It is unfortunately the case that St Helens and all other industrial towns and cities will lose jobs as globalisation and new technologies reduce job opportunities in traditional industries. It is the responsibility of those opposed to the scheme to identify how they would develop new job opportunities in the town to replace those job opportunities which would be lost if the application is rejected.

I am aware that some local people are opposed to any development of this site but I believe that I would be failing in my responsibility if I failed to do all I can to protect the long term economic well being of our community. Over the last two years I have been doing all I can to make sure that the planning application would address all the legitimate concerns of the local community.

I would ask Mr Page and others who are opposed to the scheme to wait until they have at least seen the application before they comment on an application given the inaccuracies of some of their claims.

DAVE Watts MP, St Helens North.