Today was a dark day for Wycombe with the announcement of the dreadful news that approval has been given to alter the road layout in the town centre.

The powers that be call it a 'Masterplan' but locals commonly refer to it as the 'disasterplan' to show their disdain at the wacky idea to close the magnificent Abbey Way flyover and route traffic up Suffield Road.

Apparently the revised road layout will 'link the old and new parts of the town more effectively' and 'provide a real boost to Wycombe’s economic health'.

In truth it will keep the powers that be on the gravy train for a little longer while they waste millions of pounds of public money on the mad cap idea.

As for the benefits to the town? Well, I feel we need the traffic to get into the heart of the town to bring prosperity and visitors to Wycombe. Creating a way for visitors in cars to avoid the shops and businesses is hardly likely to make Wycombe prosperous.

To all those who think getting rid of the Abbey Way flyover will help to unify the town centre I point out that the shopping centre is built under the flyover and the shops are hardly likely to go away.

So were you one of those fooled with the carrot of flyover removal without thinking of the permanent structures underneath?

Over the years the spectre of 'To Let' boards hanging above empty shops has come to chart the decline of the town.

The sad truth is that Wycombe need not be like this and the woes of the town are largely self inflicted.

While trusty independent traders struggle to do their best to eek out a living the powers that be seem hell bent on doing their best to drive the town down the pan.

Whether it be the construction of a draughty shopping centre without doors and a leaky roof or the placement of the bus station a considerable distance from the town centre it seems Wycombe can get nothing right.

Of course accompanying every building scheme is a 'public consultation' which in true Cold War era communist style always seems to result in the public seemingly giving the daft plans a stamp of approval.

Once the roads have been ruined what will come next?

You can be sure the rejuvenation of Frogmoor and installation of a working fountain in the town centre is very low down the list of priorities if being considered at all.

The realignment of the roads in the town centre will cost an estimated £4m. Just think how many better projects that money could be spent on.

For example a lowering of the business rates for struggling traders, restoring Frogmoor back to it's former glory or buying up some of the empty shops and using than as starter units for traders to dip their feet in the world of commerce.

The £4m is effectively money we have paid through Council Tax. We could have had a rebate on the money paid or even put it towards the restoration of weekly black bin collections for every house.

Wycombe is the town that shot itself in the foot economically.

What do you think?

*My next exciting and enthralling blog will be published on Thursday evening around 8pm.