OPINION: Letters to the editor of the Newbury Weekly News
Eating in Northbrook Street just isn’t like this
Many people will have heard of NLP (neuro linguistic programming), which put simply is the study of success.
Eg, if you copy something that is successful you have a good idea that you will enjoy the same success.
So here I am sat in the south of Europe looking at a packed restaurant with a main road next to it.
People are all happily eating outside in the car fumes.
So how is this like what the council wants to achieve with the extended pedestrianisation? Put bluntly it isn’t.
Here the cars bring people to the restaurant and there is lots of space to park free.
The prices are reasonable and it's 28 degrees.
It’s a model that works here very well.
Unfortunately in Newbury cars that carry people to the shops and restaurants are despised and those that do get through are fined for waiting while their owners eat and drink. If they can find a space that is.
Also in Newbury it is unlikely to be 28 degrees at 7pm, so all in all the Newbury model is not one of success but the opposite.
May I suggest a good book for councillors to read.
It’s called NLP for dummies.
But it might just show them that success has rules and the penalty for not following them is failure.
John Gotelee
London Road, Newbury
Extra pedestrianisation makes the town better
The other evening I enjoyed a very pleasant picnic with friends in Goldwell Park.
This experience was enhanced by my journey to the park along Bartholomew Street and Northbrook Street, both of which were car-free and being enjoyed by other groups of friends off to a restaurant, pub or performance.
This is just how things should be so I am writing to express my support for West Berkshire Council’s trial of extended pedestrianisation, which has made the town centre a more pleasant and healthy place to spend time in the summer evenings.
Various concerns are being raised about the scheme and I would encourage people to share these with West Berkshire Council via their latest survey (westberks.gov.uk/newbury-town-centre-pedestrianisation Ref: 009194HH).
Similarly, those in favour of the scheme should do likewise.
I have listened to concerns about pressure on the surrounding routes and access for deliveries, but do not see these as insurmountable.
I can reassure people about some of these worries by citing evidence from Living Streets, the UK charity for active transport, whose reports show benefits from pedestrianisation such as increased income for businesses, a safer environment and reduced environmental impact.
Fears that air pollution will increase on other routes are not borne out by evidence.
The London Cycling Campaign found 15 per cent of displaced traffic disappears from the area as drivers find other routes and modes of transport.
Admittedly this will need improved investment in public transport locally. I see this last point as essential.
Designing streets with people in mind makes better, more prosperous places for all.
This is why I will continue to support the West Berkshire scheme for our town and the town council’s strategy which commits to delivering permanent pedestrianisation in the Market Place.
My final plea to West Berkshire Council is more green infrastructure please.
Meg Thomas
Liberal Democrat town councillor, Newbury Wash Common ward
This Local Plan not the ‘least worst’ option
I take issue with the headline on the front page of your newspaper of June 12.
The Local Plan approved by West Berkshire Council was not the “least worst” option.
The plan as it was originally submitted did not feature the additional thousand homes in Thatcham, or the Pincents Hill development.
The Liberal Democrats told voters that they could fix the plan. This has made it worse.
Had they accepted it as it is, this would not have happened. This is a mess of entirely their own making.
Why do they never accept responsibility for their mistakes?
They need to apologise for making false promises and completely failing to deliver their manifesto commitments that delivered them their majority.
Julia Khan
Cold Ash
We do remember what politicians have done
Since Ross Mackinnon’s party, the Conservatives, lost control both nationally and locally his public letters and statements have been a prime example of some of what’s wrong with politicians generally today.
They hold the electorate in contempt by assuming they do not have the intelligence to remember all that has gone before and their knee-jerk reactions and language are more appropriate to a school playground rather than mature adults governing.
Unfortunately this is a cross-party condition.
Ross Mackinnon has been quite prolific with his damning comments about local matters, all of which, by his understanding, is the fault of the new local councillors and nothing to do with the years of local mismanagement and vitriolic behaviour whilst the Conservatives were in control.
His latest statement about the Local Plan, as quoted in the NWN, is a prime example.
It’s almost as if the thousands of new houses that are in the Local Plan were not the result of the previous Conservative-run council.
The Liberal Democrats promised to fix the Local Plan issue if elected, but ran into insurmountable problems caused by ever-moving goalposts.
A common event in central government policy making which often causes problems.
Presumably, from his self righteous stance, we are also to forget the many broken commitments from Tory leaders for over a decade.
From Cameron’s superfast broadband in a couple of years that still hasn’t been finished, a new nuclear power station that is years late, to Johnson’s 40 new hospitals that were pie in the sky even when it changed to meaning repairs and renovation.
I expect nothing will change and Ross Mackinnon and other politicians at all levels will continue their infantile exchanges rather than listening to the people and concentrating on creating a better country through sensible co-operation.
This situation is very frustrating and sad.
Nigel Butcher
Southend Bradfield
Please donate a prize for football club raffle
I am writing on behalf of Diamond FC, a local football club committed to promoting community sport and providing opportunities for players from across the community to enjoy and participate in football.
We are hosting a raffle on Friday, July 18, at the Taste of England pub to raise funds for new kits and tracksuits for our players.
We would be very grateful if you would consider donating a prize to support this fundraising effort.
Any contributions, such as vouchers, merchandise, food and drink, or other suitable raffle prizes, would be greatly appreciated and acknowledged at the event.
Should you require any further information or wish to discuss the donation, please do not hesitate to get in touch mattilar@icloud.com
Matthew Dickety
Club manager, Diamond FC
