A credit to all concerned; LETTERS to the EDITOR.

I FEEL that I really must respond to Charles Kersham's denigration of the new Mann Island (Daily Post, June 29). While the actions of city planners in allowing such catastrophes as the 6 Sir Thomas Street and Josephine Butler House debacles are to be condemned, the new Mann Island is an enormous credit to all concerned.

Let us first clarify the position.

The new Museum is built upon what was once a car park. The only view it ruins would be if Mr Kersham were walking on the Mersey to view the Three Graces. It is a magnificent building, the only new museum in the world which has been built for many years, and the only museum dedicated to a single city - our city of Liverpool, of which I am inordinately proud. Its position and design complements the Three Graces perfectly.

The "black monoliths" to which Mr Kersham refers are indeed part residential, and I would share with many the worry that we have too many "luxury apartments" as it is. But I would also point out that they are in the middle of construction, and it is hardly fair to judge their final appearance now.

I confess that I had my doubts about the canal crossing Mann Island in front of the Three Graces, but credit must go to our council (for once!) for making Liverpool a truly European city. The quality of the workmanship, the respect paid to the memorials, the space created, are wonderful. If some decide that this ruins their city, then could I ask what was so attractive about the dirty, smelly bus terminus which occupied the site once? What was so wonderful about a car park? Conservationists in Liverpool have a hard time defending what we have, without their energies being wasted yearning for a totally mythical past.

Ian Poole, Mossley Hill