"The location of Newbury Market, staying put in Northbrook Street or returning to the Market Place, has become a hot topic, but the facts are simple.

Once the improvements to the Market Place are complete there will be no option, in the medium term, other than the Market returning to its historic home. This will allow work to begin on the Parkway Development, with buses enjoying the only safe route through the town, via Northbrook Street.

Once the Parkway development is completed in 2010, there could be an opportunity for all interested parties: traders, shopkeepers, representative groups, users and, of course, Newbury Town Council to consider the long-term location of the Market.

The Market is an ancient and much-valued institution and its future must not be subject the whims of politicians but, rather, through an informed consultation that takes into account the views of market traders, other town centre businesses and, as important, people who live, work or shop in Newbury. I am glad that the new Conservative administration believes in proper consultation."