SIR, It’s not often I write to a newspaper, but I am outraged by Scottish Borders Council squandering over £2 million on a project that will never get off the ground.

To make matters worse I read in your newspaper that they described this as “appropriate” and “effective” use of public money. What planet are they living on?

It gets even worse with the possibility of losing more with regard to legal action they have to defend in a claim for £4.5 million by a consultant who worked on the same project. If found against them that will bring the bill up to around £6.5 million.

Then there is the tapestry debacle, which by current estimate is over £3 million to be put in by the council, bringing the total so far up to a potential £9.5 million plus. This when they can’t provide nearly enough funding to keep our local roads in order.

This brings into question the competency of the council as a whole and maybe it is high time for a thorough clear out of those councillors backing these schemes.

Can we have a vote of no confidence in the council, by the ordinary Borders public, not just on our councillors but also the high ranking paid officials whom also seem to have an air of incompetency surrounding them?

However, well done Councillors McAteer and Ballantyne and to those who question these issues, some councillors are worth having in office.

I am, etc.

Lindsay Cockburn Dovecot Park Selkirk