Letters to the Editor - 28th April 2008

Apr 28 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Well on track for success

DESPITE the coverage the Daily Post has been giving the new Museum of Liverpool, I am happy to assure your readers that the project is in good shape and is progressing very well. There is no crisis and the new museum will be the main physical cultural legacy of our year as European Capital of Culture.

It is true that six months ago National Museums Liverpool sacked 3XN as architects, a decision not made lightly, and taken in order to protect public investment in the project. We had been warning 3XN for six months that they needed to improve their performance, particularly in speeding up the production of working drawings and in producing designs which were compliant with UK building regulations and access requirements, so the termination of their contract can hardly have come as a surprise to them.

Since that time, progress with the building has improved significantly. NML has the copyright in the design of the building, and the finishing touches are being put to the detailed designs. This includes cladding the museum in Jura limestone, a stone recommended by 3XN while they were still project architects, and designing access ramps which are compliant with British standards – all to maintain the quality of the building.

You quote Kim Nielsen extensively. Let me say that we terminated Mr Nielsen’s company’s appointment for good reason and are glad that we did so. His claims about being badly treated fall into the same category which once caused Mandy Rice- Davies to say: "Well, he would, wouldn’t he?"

Dr David Fleming, Director, National Museums Liverpool

Deep gratitude

ON A recent visit to the Anfield Tour and Museum, with some Australian friends from Brisbane, who support the Reds, our car was broken into on Donaldson Street, and two overnight bags were taken. The obvious reputation and our naivety combined didn't null the shock of the crime against us, particularly as our Australian friend’s bag contained a breathing machine which enables him to sleep without worry of choking at night.

We immediately decided to abandon our overnight stay and head for home and a hospital to see if we could get a replacement for the breathing machine. On our way, about 5 miles from Liverpool, we were overjoyed to receive a telephone call from Police Officer WS28 Kattou, to say that our bags had been found.

The officers who had helped us at the incident, WS28 Kattou, CW43 Douglas and CW07 Morton had all been very helpful in trying to locate our bags for us around the area where they had been taken. We arranged with them to meet outside the hotel in central Liverpool where we were staying and be reunited with the bags and we then decided to stay the night and had a very enjoyable time.

It was so good of these officers to meet us at the hotel on their way home, as our knowledge of Liverpool city was limited. We were told that CW30 Hough and CW52 Thompson retrieved the bags for us and would like the people of Liverpool to know that we appreciate the kindness of all the officers concerned. It has restored our faith in the constabulary and human nature. We hope that the police authority can continue to support these officers as they do an outstanding job. Well done to you all.

Robert Eynon and family, Tywyn

Feed the people

THIS month, a new legal requirement regarding the composition of motor fuel came into force. All petrol and diesel must now consist of at least 2.5% biofuel.

Is this a cause for celebration? Not at all.

In keeping with the smokescreen that is greenwash, this apparently environmentally friendly development conceals a mass of ugliness. Our so-called eco-friendly fuel is often produced from palm oil which itself is often grown on land where once rainforest stood. Even where this is not the case, the land raising food for motor vehicles could otherwise be growing food for humans.

So, if you complain about the cost of motoring and are now worried about price increases for your weekly groceries, spare a thought but, better still, take some actions, too, for the people who are already hungry and experiencing unrest in places like Bangladesh, Senegal and Egypt. After all, surely only those with no conscience would refuse to "feed people, not cars".

Visit: www.biofuelwatch.org.uk for more information and to take action.

Clare Gillott, Liverpool

Secret event

I LIVE in Manchester but am Liverpool born and bred, and I am furious that being 45 minutes away constitutes a "no go" zone as far as Capital of Culture is concerned.

It is as if the whole thing, unless it makes the national television, is not worth publicising outside of Liverpool. There are no fliers, no posters, no feeling that anyone – if you are outside Liverpool – is welcome.

I know Liverpool is a fantastic city with a friendly and inspiring population that would be happy to welcome people from all over Britain and Europe. But if no-one gets to know it exists, then there is little chance of that. I can say that when the Commonwealth Games were in Manchester everyone enjoyed and benefited from all the visitors. What I am seeing in my home town is no pride in putting that message out there.

Please give the people involved in this top-secret, invite only, hidden event, a good kick up the backside. I wonder how many of them are from Liverpool, or care about boosting the city to a position where it can give Manchester a good run for its money, rather than blowing its own trumpet to itself?

N Meredith, Manchester

First class

I TOOK my wife and three boys to the Echo Arena for the first time to see the WWE superstars.

As I am from Liverpool, I was very keen to taste what we as a city had to offer in the competitive climate and ever-growing events calendars these days.

I have to say that from the moment we arrived I was in awe of the site. As we approached the venue, the security and marshals were very polite and informative.

During the event, I took my youngest boy Ethan to the toilet and he came out first. When I came out to see where he was, one of the staff was with him just to make sure he was OK and I passed my thanks to the person.

When the event closed and we were on our way out, all of the staff thanked people for coming and were generally very courteous.

So, from my point of view, it was a huge success and I have already been online to purchase tickets for more events.

Brian Smith, Kirkby

Fantastic venue

ALL this criticism this week of the Echo Arena. I have been there twice since it opened and on both occasions (the Rihanna concert and the X Factor show) we had a fantastic time.

All of the staff were super courteous to us and nothing was too much trouble. I was also incredibly impressed with the facilities.

To all those people complaining about car parking, why not use public transport? It is not exactly a marathon to walk from the bus station to the Arena, is it?

M Swann, Aigburth

It’s the best

THE Echo Arena is one of the best things ever to happen to Liverpool. I saw the X Factor show there and it was fantastic. Yes, there are issues with parking and traffic, but there are at the MEN in Manchester and at any large stadium event.

A Mather, Wavertree

Magical

THE column On Country Matters, written by your correspondent John Dempsey, is magical and I look forward to it every week.

I never tire of hearing what animal or bird has been spotted, and it is reassuring to hear that in some parts of our region at least wildlife seems to be thriving.

I must, however, say I have noticed a sharp decline in the variety of birds populating my back garden over the last ten years. Thrushes, chaffinches and starlings all used to be much more regular visitors, but I see them much more rarely now. There also used to be many more sparrows bobbing about in flocks and they seem to have dropped off. I am pleased to report that wood pigeons, greenfinches and robins are still very regularly seen. What a dull place the world would be without our feathered garden visitors.

L Rimmer, Formby

Dedicated

RE: ALL the critics of teachers for going out on strike. So what if some business people had to make alternative arrangements for their childcare. Why should teachers have to put up with what is effectively a pay cut?

I have a number of teachers in my family and they are very dedicated to their jobs, as I am sure are all of those teachers who decided to walk out last week. The Government should just do the decent thing and pay up for the good of the teachers, the children, the economy and the country.

K Walton, Allerton

Last resort

I WISH to respond to the recent anger towards NUT members for taken lawful industrial action.

Industrial action is only taken by trade unionists as a last resort and is still a right in this country. Unison members support the qualified teacher in the classroom to provide a service to the pupils in their schools, my members would also support the right to any trade unionists taken action to receive a decent pay rise. Hard working school-based staff, unlike MPs, don’t have the benefit of claiming high expenses or employing their family members out of the public purse.

Raph Parkinson, Branch Chair, Liverpool Unison