YOU report that Capital Shop-

ping Centres are willing to

transfer the maritime museum

part of their retail develop-

ment at Braehead to the more

adventurous and dramatic pro-

posals up-river at Govan Dry

Docks (April 21.)

You also reported recently

that West Dunbartonshire

Council is close to withdraw-

ing its bid to have Britannia at

Clydebank, and that the direc-

tor of planning has recom-

mended that the council

should back the Clyde Heritage

Trust's proposal to have Bri-

tannia as the centre-piece of a

Clyde Maritime Heritage Park

at Govan Dry Docks.

It appears that, in maritime

heritage terms, good sense is

beginning to prevail. Attention

is at last being focused on the regeneration of the A-listed Victorian Dry Docks complex at Govan in Glasgow.

Alas, instead of taking a lead-

ing role, Glasgow City Council

gives the impression of being

reluctant to declare its official

position. Lord Provost Pat Lally on one hand says that he is keen on the idea of Britannia returning to the Clyde and on the other states that he does not support the Govan maritime heritage initiative.

Where does he think that

Britannia should be sited? His

counterpart in Edinburgh

seems much more positive.

Unfortunately, in addition

those who have done such ster-

ling work in securing and ar-

ranging the restoration of the

fine Clydebuilt sailing ship

Glenlee refuse to show willing-

ness to be a logical part of the

much more comprehensive

Govan proposal.

Is it not possible for everyone

on Clydeside to pull in the

same direction so that we, and

future generations, may enjoy

a maritime heritage centre of

international importance -

one that will be truly worthy of

the Clyde's magnificent mari-

time achievements?

Surely vested interests, ulte-

rior motives, and ego-trips

could be set aside, and this

great opportunity given the

backing it deserves before it is

too late. Time is very short.

David B Price,

Auchenfroe Lodge,

Cardross.

April 21.

THE Greater Govan area has

lost many of its shipbuilding

jobs over the past three de-

cades. It is therefore doubly un-

fortunate that Govan's future

as a centre for shipbuilding

heritage should also now be in

danger (April 21).

If there is a chance that the

Britannia should return to the

Clyde, then it should be to

those communities which have

a record of shipbuilding. The

Braehead shopping complex is

not the most appropriate loca-

tion, and the planning condi-

tions attached by the Secretary

of State must not be allowed to

impede the bid to create a maritime heritage centre around Govan's still derelict dry dock.

Dick Carabine,

On behalf of East Govan,

Govan, Ibrox, Cessnock,

and Kinning Park

CommunityCouncils,

813 Govan Road,

Glasgow.

April 22.