Wirral News letters – July 14

Jul 14 2010 Birkenhead News

It’s time to be proud

AS A volunteer with a small group known as The One Borough Group who maintain the legacy of Birkenhead Corporation Buses at Wirral Transport museum I have to wonder why we do not make the most of Wirral's potential within the tourism industry.

In the last two months I have spent two enjoyable weekends at steam and vintage vehicle gatherings in Cheshire where the group has displayed vehicles from the museum. There are always people with young families who come to admire and ask questions about the buses.

To this end we always do our best to encourage people to visit the Wirral and whilst highlighting the forthcoming Festival of Transport in Birkenhead Park and the link to the Europe’s first trams.

It is amazing thatŠpeopleŠhave never heard of the famous links between Birkenhead and New York (Central Park) orŠthe trams.Š

I went to the Cheshire show and found a very good display by Wirral Council, but the new display showing the likes of Birkenhead Park made no mention of its links with New York or that it isŠ famously the Šfirst public parkŠin the world.

Whilst there are dozens of people like myself who study the history of Wirral,ŠI cannot understand why Wirral is still a mystery place within the British Isles.

It’s time to wake up.

The potential is there lets do something about it!

ŠPhil Hales

Volunteer driver and conductor

Safest in world

WITH reference to Mr D Donne’s comments regarding the problems with the Mersey Tunnels.

It never ceases to amaze and amuse me that so many people seem to know how to police the Mersey tunnels better than the Mersey Tunnel Police themselves.

I am a retired tunnel police officer who has patrolled the tunnel for more than 35 years and have attended some of the most complicated and horrific incidents in my career. I have been told to my face how it should be patrolled better, as well as overheard brilliant ways (in their minds), how problems could have been solved if they were in charge.

I must admit we did drink lots of tea, (after an incident), but if anybody has spent a long time breathing in the tunnel fumes, I can assure you throat lubrication is needed.

Contrary to popular opinion, dealing with incidents in the tunnel can be very complicated and in this day and age, public safety has to be brought into the equation. Plus, as the everyday motorist does not have radio contact with thecontrol room, it is impossible to gauge the severity of the situation.

It may surprise motorists that the Mersey Tunnels was deemed to be the safest in the world and the response time was the best and most efficient.

Finally can I assure Mr Done that his remarks regarding the waste of money purchasing a new patrol vehicle (not a Jeep), is necessary and not a luxury because the patrol vehicles travel approximately 80 miles a shift, 24 hours a day seven days a week therefore they need to be replaced when needed.

So please Mr Done if you wish to make a complaint, have the full facts.

Name and address supplied

This is ‘progress’

WELL ‘done’ Darren, (Wirral News, June 30).

Š Yes, Mersey Tunnels make huge profits that for years have been syphoned off to meet the needs of the Mersey Ferries, Merseytravel, and, I understand, four local councils.

Mersey Tunnel Police staff is now so depleted that it will be a wonder if you see anyone, or a “jeep” in the near future.

The tunnel police, and maintenance, are only a tiny fraction ofŠ the tunnel's overall budget that is rapidly being reduced. What you see, Mr. Done, gives more monies to Merseytravel, and is called progress.ŠŠ

Name and address supplied