CLLR Ann Stribley’s letter of March 6 contained inaccurate statements.

She wrote as chairman of the ‘Bridge Action Team’ (BAT) which has not been active for 14 years.

In that time she seems to have forgotten that BAT was, in fact, highly political.

During 1997 Cllr Ann Stribley was Conservative Group Leader on the council and despite its trying to run an all-party campaign to retain plans for a high level bridge she was desperate to try to gain credit for her own party.

One such attempt was with a motion to the Policy & Resources Committee in October that year.

When Mrs Stribley hit on the good idea of a petition she convened a meeting on December 29 1997 of selected invitees (all political) at her home.

Rather than being ‘incensed’, as she claims, I encouraged the council to adopt the petition and all councillors to take part.

I collected many signatures myself, including at our Lib Dem AGM.

The BAT petition was just part of a very high profile ‘bridge for the future’ campaign that was already in progress when the petition was conceived.

It was conducted in cooperation with the Daily Echo, local businesses and the wider community.

It included posters, car stickers, an internet site and meetings with many interest groups.

At my suggestion, the then Mayor, Lib Dem Cllr Annette Brooke, added stature to the petition by signing as Poole’s first citizen.

BRIAN CLEMENTS, Chairman Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee