What a dumb idea! What a waste of £250,000! The city's Lib Dem council only need to take a short drive around the city to see where that kind of money would be better spent.

The pavements are awful and so are many of our roads. They should take a look at some blocks of council flats and other public buildings that haven't seen any maintenance for years. These are things that matter to the population of this city - the environment.

Satisfying some egotistical idea from a person or persons within our city council who obviously has nothing better to do for their undoubtedly inflated salary is a crime against all who put money into the coffers of this council.

Having the time to dream up this pointless and costly waste of public funds clearly shows that this individual needs more real work to fill their day. Wow factor? Don't make me laugh! The council are going to have to come up with something far better than that to bring a wow factor to this city.

The temporary ice rink was a huge success and it is abundantly clear that a permanent site would be well used, bringing people into the city. Isn't that what the council are claiming to want to do?

A pathetic beam of light from the clock tower isn't going to make anyone spend any money in this city, all it will do is upset all of the people and societies that have protested so far, not to mention the animals in the new forest that will be scared to death when they see a beam of light shining through the night sky which could cause them to panic, sending them charging into the roads in front of oncoming vehicles.

Wake up. Lib Dems, this is indeed a very poor idea.

How about concentrating your efforts on making our city a better place to live, rather that wasting valuable time and money?

The citizens of Southampton don't want their money wasted on pointless energy wasting schemes, they want value for money and an end-product that actually benefits them.

Spend our money on making Southampton a better place to be, then people will want to come here. A silly light shining from the civic tower is not the answer.

G WILKINSON, Woolston, Southampton.