Wirral News Letters – March 31

Mar 31 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

Why is attractive town so polluted by dog mess?

HAVING recently visited the attractive town of West Kirby, I would like to voice my dismay at the amount of dog excrement that can be seen everywhere.

Also, I find it offensive when people throw the bags, which are then left hanging from trees and bushes.

The beach, Wirral Way and Coronation Gardens were all polluted in this way.

This makes the area a lot less attractive and also a health hazard. Children play in these places and surely their health is a priority.

I am a dog owner and Swiss law is such that I am obliged to clean up after my dog wherever that may be, roads, paths, woods and farmers’ fields etc. Special bins and bags are provided and these are used. I understand that the UK also has the same law and if that is so I fail to understand why it is not being implemented.

NAME SUPPLIED

Switzerland

Google invasion

I REFER to the new Street View made by Google.

I feel after viewing my property online that this is a total invasion of my privacy.

Not only is my front door online, but also the side, back and full view of my rear garden and everything in it.

I had a six foot solid fence erected to keep my garden and items in it private.

I have e-mailed Google with my feelings and urge anyone else feeling as I do to do the same.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

via e-mail

Confusion over Asda

I E-MAILED Asda recently about a store in Birkenhead. (I live around the corner from the proposed site and I am looking forward to this very much).

Here is the reply I received on February 28: “Thanks for taking the time to contact Asda. I have contacted one of my colleagues in the planning team and unfortunately they have informed me that there are no plans at the present time that we will be opening a store in the Birkenhead area. However, I have informed them that you feel this would be a good location for a store in the future.”

Now – is Asda going to build in Birkenhead or not?

ANDREW UPTON

Birkenhead

Editor’s Note: In the March 10 edition of Wirral News, Asda’s construction spokesman, Phil Bartrem, maintained the company was ‘committed’ to Birkenhead.

Well done Walter

I WAS very surprised that your report (about display plans for shops) failed to mention that the report was requested by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The report came about because Councillor Walter Smith, Bebington Ward, had raised with me concerns about the effect of charging on local shops and traders, especially in times of recession.

I then approached committee members who readily agreed to include the item for consideration. What has come about is a `win-win` situation in which control of displays etc is still undertaken but charging has ceased. Well done Cllr Walter Smith!

CLLR HARRY SMITH, Labour

Drug plan is effective

I AM writing in reply to your recent story, “One in seven Wirral pupils regularly drink or take drugs” (February 24), which does not reflect the correct picture in Wirral.

In fact, the Tell Us 4 survey shows that more than 83% of Wirral young people surveyed have never taken drugs, with this figure remaining constant over the last two years. The data also suggests a downward trend in the numbers of young people who are reporting illegal drug use.

Your report was right to say that alcohol use among under-15s in Wirral is an issue. This is reflected in our local needs assessment and an approximate £700k investment for 2010/2011.

Early indications show that the Health Services in Schools initiative, which was launched in Wirral in November 2009 in response to requests from young people for more available and accessible health services, has proved effective in tackling the issue.

When we compare Wirral nationally and regionally we also see that, through schools, the borough provides a significantly greater percentage of young people with helpful information and advice about drugs and alcohol.

TERRY WHITE

Young Persons

Honesty means a lot

I WOULD like to give my grateful thanks to the extremely kind gentleman who handed in my handbag to the Bidston Moss B&Q on Wednesday, March 24. I very stupidly hung it on the hook of my trolley while moving my purchases into my car, then forgot it and drove off. I was overjoyed to discover that it had been found by an extremely honest and kind person.

I asked if he had left a name and address so that I could thank him but he had not.

I do hope that you print this letter and that the gentleman reads it. It shows that we are right to have faith in people.

I will be forever grateful to him - and more vigilant with my belongings!!

ELISABETH

via e-mail