Your Letters

Similarity casts doubt on building consultation

Scary headlines that people in Kenilworth appear to have given their support to possible housebuilding on green belt land. “More than two thirds of those who responded (147 out of 210) supported building at the cricket club.” However the results of this so called public consultation should not go unchallenged.

Of the responses supporting the building, 98 are identical, followed by another 15, again identical, and submitted by some of the same people as in the first 98.

Furthermore, each of these replies not only supported building in Kenilworth, but objected to all of the alternative sites in Sydenham, Cubbington, Loes Farm, Hurst Farm, Burton Green and the land around the airport at Baginton.

So, an overwhelming public response, or a completely rigged, electronically generated, attempt to ensure that any development in the county takes place in Kenilworth ?

Perhaps something for our local planning department to investigate further before reaching any hasty conclusions? - Barry Elkington, Rounds Hill, Kenilworth.

Speak up or lose green belt for good

We shouldn’t be surprised that Kenilworth appears to have given its support to building on green belt land (‘Don’t Sacrifice Sport for Homes’ KWN September 24).

Despite the excellent efforts of the Kenilworth HS2 Action Group, the people of Kenilworth have made so little noise on HS2 that the Government feels that it can actually move the proposed route closer.

In fact, it even thinks it can get away with demolishing a grade II listed building on Dalehouse Lane as well. Yet, does Kenilworth react - no!

Come on Kenilworth, make your voice heard, or it will be too late and your green belt will be destroyed. - Darrin Hill, Red Lane, Kenilworth.

Angered by views on Pakistan relief

Like many of your readers I was angered by parts of Mick Coles’ letter published in your September issue 10 regarding the plight of people in Pakistan.

As a member of Kenilworth Lions Club I would like to assure your readers that any money donated by us to help in Pakistan is spent wisely where needed.

All money is sent to Lions Clubs International Foundation where it is used for the benefit of the people in need and aid is distributed with the help of local Lions Clubs in or near to the affected areas.

I do not doubt that with inter-government aid there are likely to be problems, but this should not stop people giving to hard working and effective charities. - Michael Dillon, Dalehouse Lane, Kenilworth

Letter to disgraceful money-grabbers

COPY of a letter to Warwick District Council parking services.

You disgraceful shamless moneygrabbers.

On what possible basis can you consider there is a need to restrict parking after 6pm in the evening, much less the 9.25pm you plastered a ticket on our truck after we’d done a hard day’s work and came to Leamington to grab a bite to eat and chill out for an hour or two. It never occurred to us for a second that there might be thieves about.

How do you justify it? The shops are closed. The business people have gone home. There’s no congestion or parking issues. So on what basis have you decided to restrict parking until 10pm? Oh I know it’s so that people like us, people who don’t think to check whether there might be a sneaky, illogical and unreaonable restriction you’ve added can get caught out. Must feel like fishing I expect.

Enjoy your £70, reduced to £35 as a special discount for paying you in 14 days.

I look forward to the outside chance of receiving a city hall justification for your actions presumably talking about the need to balance council finances. In the meantime we will leave central Leamington to the youth. I’m sure the restaurants and evening businesses who pay your wages and who create the evening vibrancy on which the town depends are happy to struggle on without your assistance. - Tim Allen, Ashow, Kenilworth.

Support swimming

I was most disappointed to read in last week’s Weekly News that the free swimming scheme is likely to be dropped.

When we hear how youngsters these days are obese and spend all their time playing video games, surely something that encourages them to take some exercise should be supported whatever the cost. - Name and address supplied.

Where are all the roadworks?

What’s going on with our utility companies?

It would appear that several weeks have passed without a road in Kenilworth being dug up.

After the seemingly endless work by Severn Trent finally concluded, Transco gamely stepped in to fill the breach and carry on the good work of bringing parts of the town to a standstill.

So I’m most surprised to see that National Grid, or whoever is responsible for electricity cabling these days, has not pitched tent to start excavating trenches that have only just been filled.

However if I have missed the works or the JCBs are already rolling towards Kenilworth, could I please ask that the necessary diversion is once again directed down my street as a narrow road with cars parked down one side makes an ideal rush hour rat run....- Joe Lee, Park Road, Kenilworth.

Excellent NHS care

THERE are so many criticisms of our NHS hospitals that I feel I must write with my recent experience.

I was in Warwick Hospital for a minor sinus operation. Everyone I met, including the surgeon Mr David Phillips, the anaesthetist, and all the staff on the 23-hour ward was unfailingly kind and thoughtful. Every procedure was carefully explained beforehand and any questions answered.

The operation went very well and I’m making a good recovery, thanks to the skill and dedication of all concerned.

It is really good to be able to report so positively. - C. Mary Catt, Dovehouse Lane, Harbury

Take care when changing provider

I’d really like to know if others have had trouble with the phone company Talk Talk. I certainly have several friends who have had real difficulties with getting proper service from them.

In the particular case which has made me very cross recently a friend signed up to Talk Talk. His problems were as follows :

They didn’t advise him how to sign off from his previous phone and broadband provider, with the result that they were both sending him invoices, which in due course became threatening invoices; this has ended up costing him a lot of cash for no service.

They didn’t get his broadband working but were continuing to charge him for it.

When, in disgust, he moved to another provider they continued to threaten him and have now sent in the debt collectors.

This seems to me to be the worst kind of service and I’d like to take this opportunity to warn others of the difficulties you can get into if you want to change your phone and broadband provider in these days of the “free market”. So my advice is choose very very carefully, and make sure your new provider is going to give you proper service, and help you to leave your previous provider appropriately. - Janet Alty, Lillington Road, Leamington