When Chris Hall complains about "thousands more frivolously thrown at a useless water feature' in the centre of Kingston Market Place" (Letters, 22/11) I wonder if he is talking about the interactive fountain that gives scores of kids and their parents such pleasure every sunny day?

He thinks the Rose is a White Elephant - some of us think it will be a major contributor to growing Kingston as a centre admired across London and attracting visitors. It would be really sad if our local leaders were driven solely by narrow caution and penny-pinching never to do anything to make our town special. I agree with Chris that they need to be held accountable, but not to the extent of rubbishing every attempt to be special. What would he do - spend no money at all and be happily miserable?

Bob Phillips
Broomfield Road
Surbiton