TAMWORTH'S mayor has defended the town's Ventura Park retail complex after a barrage of complaints over traffic problems.

Councillor Jeremy Oates said he wanted to highlight the park's "significant positive points" – including the mass of people employed on the site and it's boost to the local economy.

He said his comments had been triggered by weeks of complaints in the Herald and he wanted to remind people that the area "had a lot to offer".

"I know Ventura isn't perfect and I know there are loads of suggestions on how to fix it, some of these are simply not down to the council, but I do know that councillors are working hard to assist with the issues," he said.

In a letter to the Herald this week, also published on his blog, he said there were ways to avoid traffic chaos – such as walking or visiting Ventura later at night.

But he said much of the feedback received on his blog had been "quite aggressive".

"The purpose of my comments were to reassure people that we are looking at Ventura Park and also to stimulate some thought.

"I have been criticised for suggesting some people could walk to Ventura, but I stand by all the comments made.

"I am aware that some of the suggestions I have made are not available to everyone."

See letters, pages 10-13