I'VE heard a rumour that the Solent flour mill in the Western Docks is to close. As an iconic building on the Southampton skyline for over 80 years, would it not make a fantastic maritime museum for our city? Situated virtually on the quayside, ships like the Shieldhall and Calshot could be moored alongside, and the building could give a new home to the groups restoring Southampton trams, Dunkirk little ships and the Calshot light ship.

If public access to a working docks is a constraint, what about a vintage bus park-and-ride, as enjoyed by many on the recent Heritage Weekend?

If this was in Bristol, Gloucester, Liverpool, Portsmouth or Belfast, the opportunity would be seized, but Southampton? No! Our council is strapped for cash.

Short of ambition I think.

Keith Marsh

Hampshire