YOUR correspondent WC Chilcott (Have Your Say, February 18) seems to have missed the point of the National Botanic Gardens, a jewel in the Welsh crown. He wants to build a road from the car park up to the great glasshouse, thereby destroying much of the land and completely ruining the peaceful atmosphere of the garden.

Once again, Mr Chilcott, if you are unable or unwilling to walk from the car park to the glasshouse (and miss most of the beautiful plants en route), you can ride on one of the garden's electric buggies. All you have to do is ask at the entrance and you will be transported in comfort and style to your goal.

But you should appreciate that the garden is much more than just the largest single-span glasshouse in the world; give it another go, maybe at one of the special weekend events, and celebrate instead of criticising. Have you been down to the lakes, or visited the double-walled garden?

And if you are able to walk, how about the Waun Las reserve, where you can combine some historic archaeology with wild nature and farmland at its best.

To the garden I say, how about a more wallet-friendly pricing structure? £8.50 per adult is more than many people would be prepared to pay these days, especially at this time of year, although annual membership has to be a relative bargain if you intend visiting regularly.

The free entry during January was a great success, but most of those free visitors would have been prepared to pay a minimal fee, thereby raising much-needed funds.

A good public relations exercise, but an opportunity missed.

George Roberts

Dryslwyn Close

Penllergaer,

Swansea.