Wirral News letters: November 3

Nov 3 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

Redevelop on our terms

IN RESPONSE to Pat Hackett’s letter in last week’s Wirral News (Oct 27, I have always supported the redevelopment of New Brighton, but as an elected councillor I represent New Brighton residents and not Neptune Developments – though think they’re doing a good job so far.

I have never stated, either privately or publicly, any opposition to the development of New Brighton.

My four boys grew up in a town without adequate local facilities; I want my grandchildren to visit New Brighton seafront and have access to clean open toilets and baby changing facilities, a choice of places to eat and option to go to the local pool or cinema.

Despite this, when concerns are raised about any part of the development, I will risk the wrath of the Partnership and Mr Hackett and ask questions and raise concerns on behalf of New Brighton residents.

This does not make me 'anti' the development, but 'pro' the best development that we can achieve.

It is quite possible to want the scheme to succeed and still do my best to address concerns raised by Wirral residents.

Personally I think we ended up with a better scheme because of residents’ determination to have their say – or doesn’t Mr Hackett agree that this is a better scheme now?

You can’t have it both ways Pat.

Cllr Tony Pritchard

New Brighton

Parking fury

I WANT to share my frustration with your readers about jobsworth parking wardens.

I recently received a parking ticket in the post for allegedly parking on double yellow lines which I knew nothing about.

The “offence” was apparently for me stopping on a quiet side street in West Kirby after 8pm on a dark, wet, cold, Saturday evening when the streets were empty.

It was raining, windy and thoroughly miserable and dark enough not to see any lines at all on the road, and yet some sneaky parking warden must have been waiting out of sight to clock me for a three minute penalty (between 8.03 and 8.06 according to the ticket).

I wrote to the Parking Services to complain about this transparent sham. They rejected my pleas outright and I begrudgingly paid the £70. I now have a distinct distaste for parking wardens as jobsworths.

NAME SUPPLIED

West Kirby

Life of handouts?

WHY is it that when I am in Birkenhead shopping precinct or the bus station everywhere I look I see very young girls with buggies and between one and four babies in tow.

The chances of seeing a wedding ring on any of these girls’ fingers is about the same as a snowball in hell.

What of their parents? Have they never warned them of the dangers of promiscuity, or advised them of the availability of contraception?

These youngsters have irrevocably shaped their lives and destinies before they are out of their teens.

But most unfortunate are their babies. What, in the majority of cases, will be their employment prospects when they grow up?

How many of these illegitimate children will become doctors, lawyers or engineers and how many will face a life on benefit handouts?

I know what my guess would be.

M BARNETT

Prenton

Tunnel madness

I WRITE to ask the planners at the Wallasey tunnel to explain in writing to us all why on Saturday – when the football; the last day of a huge musical; shopping; and, as was my case, a daughter who needed to catch a train to London and missed her main line, it was deemed acceptable to fully close all day one full tunnel causing chaos for thousands of paying customers?

I, like all the thousands of others are paying customers, were left with a 25-minute free-for-all bumper-to-bumper slog. If I ran my company like you do I would be out of business within weeks and it is only because we have no choice whatsoever that you survive at all.

Can I suggest that if 50% of your services are not running for whatever useless reason you may offer then, with the electronic switch of a button, Mersey Tunnels as a matter of decency should reduce our tariff by 50% for the stress and anguish caused to those simply wanting to get to Liverpool?

This is only fair and just, and I wish others took the time to speak as I do on this appalling service.

As Gandhi once said “a customer is never an inconvenience on your work but the sole purpose of it.” By God I wish I had a choice, and I watch this draconian service grind to a halt in its view of us as sheep and an easy revenue stream: hang your heads in shame those who call themselves managers of this façade.

We are all born unique so don’t die a copy and speak up for a better service now!

Steve Stuart

Caldy

Careful with cuts

Obviously cuts have to be made by Wirral Council like local authorities all over the country.

But I hope and pray those wielding the axe don’t again turn their attention to the borough’s libraries and recreation centres.

We all remember how the people of Wirral were up in arms the last time they were under threat and the council eventually backed down.

I trust that the new administration will not forget the passion in the borough for these establishments and use the current austere times to give them the chop.

Yes, savings need to be made but not at the price of these vital facilities.

Philip Griffiths

Wirral & North West Chairman UK Independence PartyŠ

Tax the banks

I KNOW we are in difficult economic times.

But there is one easy decision that could spare a lot of the 'tough ones'.

A tax on the banks could raise £20bn in the UK to help those hit by the financial crisis in this country and around the world. For every cut I hear the Government announce I keep asking: Could a tax on the banks have paid for that?

The situation we find ourselves in started in the financial sector and we spent £1.4 trillion bailing them out. We are all paying for a party we weren't quite invited to. I want to see my MP and leaders start fighting for a tax that would make Robin Hood proud.

Ben Edwards

Address supplied