Arriva is unfair to elderly

May 27 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

ARRIVA has ordered that holders of free travel passes in the Wirral area must obtain a ticket from the driver.

There appears no sense in this and Arriva did not have the courtesy to give any reason. The pass is the only proof of payment needed.

Above all, it is discrimination against old people – holders of no other pre-paid tickets (eg Saveaways) need to queue for an additional ticket.

If a customer reached into the driver’s plastic cage, grabbed him and dictated to him, this would, rightly, be taken as a serious matter.

But when drivers shriek after a customer “come back here mate” it is considered quite acceptable.

Do Arriva think such a totalitarian attitude will encourage people to leave their cars and use public transport?

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Mother’s plea

I WRITE this letter to all employers.

My son left school one year ago to take up his dream of becoming a photographer.

He goes to Liverpool Arts College three days a week and is passionate about his chosen career.

For the days that he does not go to college he thought it would be beneficial to find part-time work.

In his quest to find a job he has been so disappointed by the attitude of most employers towards people of his age group (17 years).

They seem very reluctant to give young people a chance to prove themselves.

A lot of people seem very ready to blame problems in society on the youth of today.

So please, all employers, if you have a vacancy, give these kids a chance.

G HALL

Pensby

Disgraceful

SO Birkenhead Town Hall is up for sale.

This means the town will have no recognised centre to hold a civic event of any kind.

A recent edition of the BBC’s Question Time from Birkenhead was held in a rundown tramway siding. Disgraceful!

It beggars belief that our once great and dignified town has been left with no civic amenity hall.

Shame on the Birkenhead councillors who voted to sell off Birkenhead’s Town Hall.

They were elected to look after the interests of the people of Birkenhead. Voting that they should sell their civic amenity is not the way to do it.

SID KELLETT

Prenton

Council anger

IF our so-called councillors sell Birkenhead Town Hall then they should be ready to face the consequences of being “asset strippers”.

They treat the people with contempt.

JAMES WATSON

via e-mail

Caring Jean

I AM a member of the care team at Elderholme, a 60-bed residential home situated in the grounds of Clatterbridge Hospital.

Our residents range from 48 to 98 years of age, all with various nursing needs.

We are very proud to announce that one of our nurses was recently awarded “Carer of the quarter”.

Jean Phillips has been voted by other staff members, relatives, friends and residents as giving 100% commitment to her job.

We feel that recently, care for the elderly has received some bad press and people should be made aware that many care homes offer an excellent standard of care.

JILL TOWNLEY-DAVIES

via www.wirralnews.co.uk

Promote club

THE idea suggested by Prof. Harding for a newly-designed crest for Tranmere Rovers (Viking name) is another interesting proposal to mark the club’s 125-year anniversary.

In fact any ideas to celebrate the club's history should be developed quickly and made public while the club is actively in the news because of its promotion push - and the campaign to sell more season tickets.

As a shareholder, season ticket holder and a supporter of some fifty years I just hope the club don't go to sleep over the next eight weeks of the close season.

Let's hope there is a regular flow of positive news – about new players, existing players contracts, special 125-year merchandise offers, the new board structure, the development of Ingleborough etc – please remember supporters are keen to hear about Rovers twelve months of the year.

TOM WILLIAMS

via e-mail

Paving peril

FOOTWAYS and pavements are for people, not the parking of motor vehicles, skips or building materials.

Please consider children when you are driving and parking.

If you would like to know more about what is being done for pedestrian safety or you would like to inform us of areas that need more doing for pedestrian safety or you would like to support our campaigns please do look at www.livingstreetswirralchester.org.uk and contact Ian via towalksafely@gmail.com

IAN GILMOUR

Wirral & Chester Branch of Living Streets

Flag thanks

WALLASEY Ladies Lifeboat Guild thanks the people of Wallasey and Moreton for supporting our flag day on Saturday, May 16.

The magnificent sum of £1,015.69 was collected.

MARY WRIGHT

Honorary Secretary