‘Close the town centre to traffic’, ‘build a swimming pool’ and ‘knock down the IMAX’.

Ideas for what should be included in Bournemouth’s Town Centre Vision have been coming in thick and fast.

The big debate, carried out through the local media, centred on whether Bournemouth needs a new landmark and what could be done to improve wet weather leisure facilities and the retail offering. It also considered the road network within and around the Town Centre.

Deputy Leader of Bournemouth Council, Cllr John Beesley, said: “The passion residents have for our town is evident from the time and thought put into so many of these responses. We’re very grateful that so many people have taken the time to write.

“We’re working hard to make sure the vision we put forward both reflects public opinion and is something that, working in conjunction with the private sector, we could realistically deliver.”

Some residents advocated the benefits of park and ride, others want better public transport or cycle routes and some would like to see key roads in the town closed to traffic altogether.

Others called for more cultural attractions such as art galleries and a concert hall, while many of you are calling for an ice skating rink, a swimming pool or a children’s playground.

Addressing the issue of shopping in the town local resident Andrew Mills wrote: “There are not enough shops in the area that would entice the money from Sandbanks and the surrounding areas.

“We need galleries, names like Molton Brown and L'Occitane, second hand bookshops, maybe an antique centre to rival Salisbury’s. Westbourne has the right idea. Bournemouth can be known once again as a place for a gentle stroll, a little lunch and trip to the quality shops.”

All your comments are being collated by the Council as they work to put together a workable vision for how Bournemouth should be developed over the next 20 years.

They’ll prepare a number of options that will go out for formal public consultation in Spring 2008.

But there’s still time to join the debate. For further information about the Town Centre Vision visit www.bournemouth.gov.uk/towncentrevision. To put forward your ideas email towncentrevision@bournemouth.gov.uk