Madam,

Aberystwyth has been without a Catholic church since 2012. It is high time for the Catholic bishop of Menevia to abandon his claims that St Winefride’s church in Queen’s Road, Aberystwyth, is dangerous. Since ordering its closure in 2012, he has often quoted the views of an insurance agent who spoke of risk of serious injury and high level collapse, and asserted that the building is simply too hazardous … to permit its continued use. There is now a mountain of evidence to the contrary. Two independent surveys in 2012 found the building to be basically sound, and various professionals (including surveyors and builders) have confirmed this. The bishop rejects the independent surveys, but even his own survey (completed one month previously in August 2012) did not mention any danger. If the church really was so dangerous in September 2012, why did his own surveyors not warn him of such danger? Buildings do not deteriorate dramatically in the space of a few weeks, unless an external force such as an earthquake causes the change.The high fence which surrounds the church should also be removed. There is no legal requirement for it since the buildings have not been condemned.

Yours etc

Laurie Wright

Dan-y-Coed

Aberystwyth.