Letters to the Editor - September 26th

Sep 26 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

We want true progress

I FEEL compelled to comment on Jane Anderson’s letter (Daily Post, September 20). She is correct in her assertion that Liverpool, like San Francisco and other great world cities, has a mixture of outstanding, ordinary and awful buildings.

Unfortunately, it is the recent architecture that is ordinary and awful; the city’s outstanding buildings went up before most of us were born. Yes, we do have a great opportunity to reposition ourselves as a truly world-class city, but we are not going to do it by erecting black granite carbuncles in front of our own version of the Taj Mahal.

I am referring to the world-famous view of the Pier Head, as seen from across Canning Dock, about to be lost. Just look at the TV stations and magazines to see how often they use this idyllic scene. Ask the opinion of any casual visitor to the Albert Dock about this and you will get the same, amazed response every time: “No. What are they thinking of?”

I am afraid Ms Anderson must have been away from the city for too long, or else she would know that Chavasse Park has gone as a living, breathing part of the city (her words). Yes, that is what Chavasse Park used to be.

Take it from those who love and care about this great city of ours; the old ’60s mistakes (like Concourse House marring Lime Street for 40 years) are about to be made again. It is not only possible, but essential, that the city’s heritage is conserved while allowing creative yet sympathetic additions. The conservationists want true progress for our great city, not a ramshackle collection of high-rise flats.

DR Swift, Litherland

Mersey pride

I AM writing with pride, having just returned from a twilight Birkenhead waterfront and witnessing the magnificent sight of the QE2 moored by the Pierhead.

While confessing self-interest through working for Liverpool Vision, I was not involved in the waterfront projects, and my pride is not about who I work for, but about the re-emergence of Liverpool as a place. This is a personal view, but it is undoubtedly right that such magnificent ships and the economic activity surrounding them are returning to Liverpool.

The new Liverpool skyline is a perfect backdrop for such activity and shows the unique quality of place that Liverpool has between water and tall buildings. This is continuing with Liverpool One, the Kings Arena, and the new buildings of the commercial district.

This new drama of buildings, ship, and people was unimaginable even four years ago. It took time and effort to create this moment and while it is clear there is still a way to go – especially outside the city centre – these magnificent sights indicate that Liverpool has begun its long journey back.

If there is a negative, it comes in the hundreds of people on the Birkenhead side observing a drama that is so close, yet so far. These were gathered where most people would not normally go, with no sign (on this side) of the resurgence that Liverpool has seen. There was also a metaphor in that they all had their backs to Birkenhead. So while there is clear imbalance between the banks of the Mersey, there is hope in that Birkenhead could have no better advantage than its own location to start its own downtown waterfront resurgence.

Colin Dyas, via email

Get on line

RE: “ARE we making most of the Mersey?” (Daily Post, September 25), I have just read the article in today’s Daily Post, great, but why did you stop there?

On Friday, when the QE2 arrived, I spent four hours searching the internet for live webcams of the Pier Head, and guess what, I found one . . . over on Wirral. Surely with all the great and good we have running this city of ours and various other over-paid organisations, somebody should have seen that with all the high buildings around the Pier Head, now was the right time to cover the whole of the Pier Head with webcams.

They boast about the large number of cruise liners that will stop here and some are actually going to start and finish here. These vessels are made to be seen on the internet, and the whole world should be able to see them and us.

This should have been done as soon as the new stage was in position so we could have seen the two ships that were there first.

Tony Billing, via email

Endless opportunity

YOUR article on whether or not Liverpool makes the most of the River Mersey is a timely one. In fact, I am surprised you have not looked at this issue earlier. The answer, of course, has to be a resounding no.

Look at any other city in the world which has a major river at its heart and you will see a focal point for that city.

This just does not seem to be the case in Liverpool. While I would say that the new developments, the Arena, the resurgence of the Albert Dock as a tourist hotspot, the new flats and Liverpool One, etc, are bringing the rest of the city closer to the river, we could still be doing much more.

There should be more river cruises, we could have more events on the water; the opportunities are endless. Let’s make the most of them.

G Howells, Mossley Hill

Why bother?

THERE are, no doubt, many fevered brows presently in Tory central office worried about the probability that Labour would gain a majority of the seats albeit, with a minority of the vote, in any autumn general election.

Any concerns, by the Tories, though, are misplaced. Firstly, because New Labour are almost indistinguishable from the Tories with any policy differences mainly ones of semantics. Secondly, with a deteriorating global economic situation, for which neither the Tories nor Labour seem to have any solution, so why would they want to get into government – other than perceived prestige?

The economic global prognosis is truly depressing with the demands of China and India set

to push food and commodity prices up by around 20% over the next two years. This is compounded in the UK by a massive trade deficit and public sector borrowing requirement, more than £9bn last month alone, itself set to worsen due to increased interest payments and commitments to increase by billions of pounds our annual “tribute” to the EU.

Mark Bill, UK Independence Party, Liverpool

Breathtaking

WHILE at a loose end this weekend, I decided to take my two children to Southport to watch the airshow – and was I glad I did.

The spectacular stunts performed by the magnificent Red Arrows and others were breathtaking, while many of those around us held their breath as the Blades display team flew close to each other at incredible speeds. It was also a joy to see the RAF Falcons parachute in over our heads.

In spite of the poor weather, the huge crowd seemed to thoroughly enjoy the show and a big thank you must go out to the organisers for putting on such a magnificent display.

I shall definitely be returning next year, and would highly recommend others do, too.

Mrs G Jones, Crosby

Short-sighted

WITH all the fuss being generated by the developers about the prospect of the Garden Festival Site not getting planning permission for the proposed 1360 flats, couldn’t this open space be put to better use for the people of Liverpool as an open air venue for concerts, festivals and any outside sports events?

The Mathew Street festival debacle shows that the city has a dearth of open spaces to host such events . Most of the open spaces we had are being developed and will not be available to us in the future. Isn’t it time that the councillors in this city put the need for our green spaces above the money that will be generated in rates?

Shortsightedness is no excuse for poor judgment, and once these green spaces are lost we will never get them back.

E Moffat, via email

Uncaring

YOUR headline screamed out about £21m in unpaid maintenance by absent Liverpool parents (Monday, September 24).

What I find saddest about this story is not that the lamentable CSA could not get the parents to pay up, but that we live in a society where parents do not care about their children’s needs and run away from their responsibilities.

I realise that these days people don’t seem to believe that marriage is for life, but to turn your back on your own is unforgivable.

K Smith, Runcorn

Time to move on

SO WE have another public inquiry coming up into the regeneration of the Edge Lane corridor. Please let this be the last, and let developers get on with repairing one of the most embarrassing areas of the city.

Every day I drive into Liverpool along Edge Lane and my heart sinks to see the state of the once incredible properties. I know that it would have been wonderful if we could have rescued these buildings, but that ship has sailed. Now it is time to let progress have its way.

N Saunders, Huyton

No wisdom

TYOUR correspondent P Sinclair’s thoughts about older people in today’s society are very true (Daily Post, Letters, September 24). This society only cares about the young, there is no respect for age and wisdom, and we are much the worse for it.

P Twist, Waterloo