Star comment: A terrible injustice to region

They say more about those who compile them then they do about the vibrant, energetic and determined people who live here.

And they display a lack of understanding and sense of perspective from people who are out of touch with the go-getting nature of residents and businesses and the enviable environment that is on our doorstep.

It is peculiar that different surveys featured in the Star today can yield such different results. On the one hand, Shropshire and Telford are bashed while on the other specific areas, like Bridgnorth High Street, are lauded. The absence of consistency is revealing.

The ire of those who have compiled their surveys is reserved for Telford. While it is clearly an excellent place in which to do business, it is demonised by those who believe locals have a poor quality of life and live in suburbs that they'd rather escape.

It is an out-of-date picture that bears little resemblance to reality.

It is accurate and correct to describe Telford as a good place for commerce. A highly skilled work force that is relatively cheap to employ provides big businesses with considerable returns. The region has pockets of deprivation and social disadvantage, but they must be taken in context against a bigger picture.

Telford has an exceptional infrastructure and exceptional transport and communication links.

The area has a thriving cultural and sporting scene: lest we forget, many Olympians and world leaders train at the National Centre of Sporting Excellence at Lilleshall. And for a survey to impune the natural environment of Telford, Shropshire and Powys is plain daft.

One imagines its authors have not happened upon the Unesco World Heritage Site at Ironbridge or the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the Long Mynd.

Far from being one of the least desirable destinations in the UK, our region is one of the foremost. It has a relatively low population density, most areas have low levels of crime, there is good community cohesion and there are high levels of attainment at many local schools.

Those denigrated by the survey are not likely to notice, however. They're too busy making the most of the many opportunities our region affords.