Hello Campaigners

Well, the seven day public inquiry into the Battersea Bridge tower is done. It finished yesterday. 

I was at the inquiry every day (except for one, when I was writing my statement for it), as were a few hardy, loyal supporters. All power to the resolute fighters of the Friends of Battersea Riverside.

The Chelsea Citizen online newspaper has covered the inquiry fully. Our esteemed reporter John Cookson (ex on-camera reporter at Sky, Fox and Bloomberg) was there for every hour and filed an article by close of play every day. You can read his full archive HERE. My sincere Thanks to John for all that graft. He put in a serious shift.

I gave a statement to the inquiry. Not being someone who enjoys public speaking, it was a bit of pressure, but things needed to be said and I am glad I did it. The statement was warmly greeted by fellow campaigners...but probably not so much by Rockwell and its high-powered team.

I only had the idea to speak at the inquiry after watching three supporters for Rockwell give (very odd) statements on the first day. I was amazed members of the public were even allowed to roll up and make a pitch to the Inspector. Their evidence was like watching some of Rockwell's letters of "support" come to life in a cable telly dramatisation, organised by Central Casting.

For enthusiasts of the genre, you can watch the video of my statement HERE.

Right! The Inspector says that she will deliver her decision in "early May". She told me yesterday that it will be published after the local elections, so I predict that it will arrive w/c 11th May. 

If I was a gambling man, I would bet 29 pennies on the appeal being thrown out.   But that's just me - I run on optimism. 

All fingers crossed. May common sense and decency prevail.

Happy Easter.

Best wishes

Rob McGibbon