Letters to the Editor - August 21st

Aug 21 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

We need good transport links

CONGESTION charging is being opposed by Peel Holdings, according to your report (Daily Post, August 17).

This is surely the time to discuss with them the ways in which the increased traffic which would be generated by their proposed developments will be dealt with.

I know that they have a plan for a monorail from the city centre to the airport – but are we to get proposals for improvements in public transport to serve the many new developments which they are proposing?

Experience has shown that good quality public transport adds value to developments.

Since the Government is trying to tie money for public transport developments to the introduction of congestion charges, then it is in the interest of Peel Holdings to pay out their own money to substitute lost government grants and to make their developments work.

It would be interesting to hear what transport proposals they have and what is their timetable for introducing them.

Cllr Tom Harney, Liberal Democrat, Wirral Borough Council

Stealth tax

THE idea that the introduction of a congestion charge is “inevitable”, as suggested by some leading opinion formers, is baffling and wrong.

Both central government, and local authorities, have been promoting the “city region” notion for the past three years.

Put simply, this approach recognises that it is our major cities that drive forward local economies, create wealth and employment opportunities.

The introduction of a congestion charge for Liverpool city centre will result in an exodus of downtown-based businesses to the suburbs, and leave the fantastic new commercial premises being developed currently vulnerable to a high level of vacant space.

The public and private sector communities of this city must campaign against the introduction of this additional stealth tax for city centre based companies, not lie down and accept the imposition of a flawed policy from on high.

Frank McKenna, Chairman, Downtown Liverpool In Business

Extortionate charge

I AM very glad that Peel is promising to take a stand against congestion charging. We all should. The Government of this country wants everything its own way – they want us paying extortionate road and fuel taxes, yet they don’t want us to be able to drive anywhere for free.

They want us to use public transport more, yet they don’t actually want to put their hands in their pockets and actually invest in some decent trains and buses.

It is no wonder that people are fleeing this country for better lives abroad.

All you are here is a cash cow for a government busy wasting our money on wars abroad and it is time we stopped being bossed about in this way.

P Howell, Crosby

Too many police

AT A time when the press is full of our fear of crime these days, with surveys showing that people are so afraid they will be a victim of crime, they are too scared to leave their homes, the police use the oft-repeated cry that they are short of resources to make us feel safe.

You hear of people calling the police to say their house is being burgled, only for the police to get there after the villain has fled with their possessions. Others wait hours for police to come around and visit them after an attack. Always the reason given by forces is that they are tied up with paperwork and can’t be out on the beat all the time.

So this morning, when I drove to work and saw no less than eight police officers with three patrol cars manning an obvious speed trap near my home (I was not speeding and am a careful driver – so my complaint is not about that). I was shocked to say the least.

Surely there is no justification for so many people to man one speed camera. God only knows what crimes were being committed elsewhere while these were all busy going after motorists.

L Willis, Widnes

A low point

YOUR week-long deconstruction of the Liverpool Culture Company has, in my opinion, been a low point in the Daily Post’s history.

Your editorial last Monday claiming you were doing this in all our interests does not excuse the long list of anonymous senior sources and unnamed others that you relied on for your exposé. You only need to read the Liverpool08 website to see the fantastic year that faces us and nothing any self-interested politician or journalist can do will stop it.

Contrast all this with the unashamedly elitist Manchester International Festival that was such a success down the road and the unqualified support of the local paper, the Manchester Evening News. Come on, Daily Post, if you are a partner of the Culture Company, act like it.

Nick Taylor, St Helens

Origins of names

IN REPLY to Mrs O’Brien (Daily Post, Letters, August 17) on Liverpool street names. Liverpool did once have a castle, damaged in the 17th-century civil war and demolished in the 18th century. It stood on what is now Derby Square. Some of its stones were probably used on the building of the old dock to the south.

The old hall stood in 1650 but had gone by 1755 and its site is now occupied by the Daily Post and Echo building. St Peter’s Church gave its name to Church Street, while Colquitt, Seel and Bold Streets were named after 18th-century landowners. Goree, however, has more sinister origins – it is named after the West African island used for holding slaves en route to the Americas.

M F Dinsmore,Wirral

Prison warning

THANK you for publishing the article about the sentence of four years for causing serious injury to another person with a knife in your paper and on the internet.

The judge in that case has set a good example to others that “use a knife and you will be sent to prison.”

This sentence should be used as a warning to others. Offences of causing injury with the use of a knife have increased considerably in recent years, far more than the Government’s statistics reveal. It is time that the courts set a clear example that knife crime will not be tolerated.

Cllr Ken Rogers MA (Criminology) former police officer, Wivenhoe, Essex

A British word

OH, FOR Heaven’s sake, Chris Shaw (Letters, August 13), the use of “Soccer season starts in style” has nothing to do with David Beckham now playing in America; it’s merely because it alliterates. Sky have used the slogan “Soccer Saturday” for quite some time now for the same reason.

Despite being used in America, “soccer” is not an American word. It was reputedly first used by Charles Wreford-Brown in Britain in 1889 when he was asked if he wanted to play “rugger” (rugby), to which he said “No, I’m going for a game of soccer” (meaning “association” football).

Philip Ion, Greasby

Smarter uniforms

ON A recent visit to Liverpool, I was very impressed with the magnificent St George’s Hall, as well as by the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff there. It typified the sort of welcome one comes to expect in the city.

However, there was one disappointment. Although matters of fashion normally pass me by completely, I could not help but be struck by the truly dismal uniforms of the staff there.

They seemed more in-keeping with the unfortunate inhabitants of a run-down garden centre.

Surely those responsible could run to providing smart shirts and blouses, which would be much more compatible with the wonderful surroundings.

G Green, Warrington

Debt of gratitude

I WAS shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of fundraiser Irene Trevorrow, who died recently. I’d had the privilege of knowing Irene for many years, she was a lovely lady and a dedicated fundraiser for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, devoted to making things better for lung cancer patients. I know I speak for all lung cancer patients when I say we owe you a huge debt of gratit- ude, Irene. Condolences to all the family.

Terry Kavanagh, lung cancer patient

Great attraction

WHAT a weekend it was for maritime fans as the two famous ships sailed into Liverpool. I took my grandchildren down to see the Amistad and the Bounty and they loved learning all about them.

I have to say they were a little disappointed to learn that the Bounty was not actually Jack Sparrow’s ship in the Pirates of the Caribbean, but it didn’t really affect how much they enjoyed get- ting on board and having a look around.

In all, the weekend, which seemed to be attracting plenty of visitors of all ages, made a nice preview to what we can expect next year when the Tall Ships come in.

G James, Aintree

Too late in the day

SO, WE now have the Labour leader on Merseyside demanding resignations from those in charge over the Mathew Street fiasco. I am surprised that such calls have not come much sooner.

Unfortunately, I suspect there will be no resignations because it is now too late in the day, with regards to Capital of Culture, for us to find other suitable persons to replace them. All we can do now is hope we have seen the worst that can possibly go wrong and focus on the future.

P Powell, Southport

Fitting tribute

WHAT welcome news that the Bank of England is considering putting Bobby Moore on its banknotes. Bobby Moore was a 20th-century icon who was worshipped by millions. What more fitting tribute could there be to a sporting legend, who on that unforgettable day in July, 1966, was not only captain of the England team but captain of all of us.

J Morris, Hoylake