Your Letters June 8

Rail parking

As the current official car park at Hastings station is very small, the closure as of June 1 of a temporary car park next to the station (for re-development) is very bad news indeed, particularly for commuters.

I rang Hastings Council this morning to enquire whether any short - and longer-term arrangements were in place to ensure adequate car parking for rail travellers at an equivalent price (2 per day), given the closure of the temporary car park.

I was informed that no such arrangements were in place (either in the short - or longer-term), and that - to the officer's knowledge - there had been no strategic discussions on this issue. The council officer pointed out that the council does not own the land adjacent to the station, but has simply been managing the temporary car park pro-tem, on behalf of Sea Scape. The council's advice is simply to use the other car parks in the town.

So it would seem that as of June 1, many people wishing to travel from Hastings by train, are not be able to park next to the station, and will have to pay significantly higher prices for this inconvenience (up to 1 per hour would - for me - increase my daily parking fee to 10, where I currently pay 2). Add this increase to the cost of rail travel, and the viability of Hastings as a commutable station is called seriously into question.

It really doesn't take a crystal ball to anticipate this type of problem. So I'd very much like to know why the council and the train operating companies (Southeastern and Southern) appear not to have addressed this problem in advance of the temporary car park closure. If Hastings Borough Council is serious about the regeneration of Hastings, it really should be pro-active in addressing this and similar issues to ensure the improvement of transport links and facilities in Hastings.

Alan Colhoun

Battery Hill

Fairlight

Overall picture

It is a catch 22 situation, the council have lost 500k on the old recycling scheme, so in a reckless manner have now spent over a million on a new scheme.

What they have not divulged is what they are going to do with the massive amount of recycled waste their previous depot could not handle. Excessive trips by lorry is not helping the environment either, as the extra greenhouse gasses generated may well outweigh the energy saving from recycling. Has anyone checked that council offices are actually having THEIR waste collected on alternative weeks to promote recycling too? Would it be worth a chip added to the waste to check to see where it goes as they may be burning it for all we know?

I believe commercial waste would be a far greater source of potential recyclable matter, how many tonnes of office paper are simply thrown in the bin, and all of this is bypassed by the council's new private waste double bin system. It also cannot be implemented across the whole borough, the Old Town being a prime example.

The current recycling facilities are inadequate, the glass bins are always full to overflowing and glass is outside of the new scheme, so unless you want to drive then you cannot easily recycle glass, so that's not very green either!

Add to that the lucrative wheely bin cleaning businesses (one of the top 10 growth franchises at the moment), these things start to have a whiffy smell after a while, with even more journeys and extra water usage, and the massive amount of private commercial waste collection vehicles clogging our roads then the management of our country's waste has become big business.

The council need to look at the overall picture in deciding where a million pounds could be better spent. I also don't believe the hype regarding EEC directives, has anyone EVER seen a recycling bin in France?

Ray Norton

High Street

Old Town

No inserts

WITH all the media telling us about recycling, which I agree, local outlets not only waste their money paying people to push adverts through our letter boxes, maybe four or five at a time, they then go in to our recycling bag, as they post these mostly ever week, the same ad I might say. I also have a notice on our front door not to put these through our letter box, but they still do, maybe this should be addressed also the daily papers are the same, they put up to five of the same adverts in our papers. We don't need to recycle these bits of paper that are no good to us, so why do they put so many in the magazines, papers and through the letter boxes? We don't want them.

MRS F HEDGES

London Road

St Leonards

Little substance

THE planning application for the link road demonstrates the determination of East Sussex County Council to ensure its construction at any cost which is now estimated to be 89m for what is three miles of single carriageway. Despite this hike in costs (from 50m), the Department for Transport show no sign of intervening. It is of great concern that, a project of this magnitude whose purpose primarily is to serve a major housing development in north Bexhill and where the planned route will cause serious environmental damage, may not be called in for examination at a public enquiry. Concern about the environment and climate change holds little substance when their answer is to build our way out of congestion, which has failed in the past and will fail again. Where are the alternative transport plans, spoken about, but with little chance of being implemented? Where are the improved bus services, the point to point metro link, the ideas for cycling and walking and the possibility of constructing a tramline linking our two towns; ways to stabilise or reduce the traffic on our roads?

I know what I would do with the 89m!

MR M A TURNER

Priory Road

A fast one?

As an early morning swimmer since the pool opened in 1982, it amazes me how Freedom Leisure can increase its prices by 50%. Has it gone mad, or is it trying to pull a fast one on the retired people in Hastings? I'm sure we don't mind an increase as long as it is within line of inflation. This is the largest increse I have known since going swimming. May I remind Jeff Hart that fuel prices have decreasd in the last two months so how can he say it is the cost of fuel that has caused this increase. Whatever we say, Freedom Leisure will not change its mind on this issue, it's all a matter of making money even if it's from the pensioners

The Government goes on about taking more exercise to help our National Health Service and keeping the older generation away from the over-worked doctors. But it appears Freedom Leisure has other ideas regarding the fitness for the elderly by putting up the cost for the older generation in Hastings. Many cannot afford these big increases. Many will stop using the pool or cut down on the number of times they go swimming.

I hope other swimmers will voice their opinion. We need your support otherwise we will be up for another big increase next year. All I can say to Jeff Hart is please consult your customers in future, Freedom Leisure. Do not drop a bombshell, the way you have this increase. So come on swimmers send in your views to the Observer, or your local council, or even your MP. Tell these people at Freedon Leisure we will not except these increases without a fight.

D R GRICE

Conqueror Road

St Leonards

Have a say

I read David Gales' letter re Luddites, but confess I couldn't quite understand the paragraph "The apparently lost (dear, dear!) battle to block the building of the new marina on the St Leonards seafront."

Were you referring to the West St Leonards area by the old bathing pool site, or to "an attractive new structure" on the promenade over the existing Marina Pavilion, which I understand was forcibly closed because of 20 years of neglect resulting in the loss of an excellent amenity for the last two and a half years?

Fixing the original building without obstructing the promenade forever was apparently not an option. Looking at this new structure is marginally better than looking at the large warehouse building at the junction of West Hill Road and the 259 at Bexhill Road, which is why people like to think they may have a say in matters that affect the quality of their lives.

J Porter

Marina

St Leonards

Disastrous

I find it strange having to agree with Kate Francis (letter, June 1) that the present council is not living up to "our" (Tory) hopes. However her solution, to bring back the previous administration, would be even more disastrous.

I believe we should vote for the person, not the party, in local elections. I voted, against "my" party, for the estimable Cllr Sue Palmer who happens to be LibDem.

LibDem policies are generally anathema to me but Sue is a capable local person who puts the needs of the town above party. If a few more people of independent mind and with experience of the real world could be persuaded to stand for election, and if the electorate could have the sense to ignore party politics and vote them in, the management of our town would be transformed.

Michael Plumbe

Swan Terrace

PS Sue does not know I have written this - I promise.

One-sided

I am appalled at the way you give banner headlines to anything Cllr Birch says as though it is the truth and will stand no criticism at all. To say your reporting is biased is an understatement.

As for your ban on councillors having letters printed, I am again appalled that you will print Labour rubbish and not allow us to respond.

You have a duty to report all sides of a debate and not, as you do, give weight to one side - even if it is a personal opinion which tallies with your own or Mr Pollard's views.

You are very obviously going out of your way to bring this Conservative administration down.

It is time you thought of moving on and letting a more fair-minded person do a proper job of editing a LOCAL paper.

Cllr Terry Fawthrop

Town Hall

Close the road

I see that Schwerte Way will be closing for resurfacing work to begin July 2.

This is the shortcut opposite the pier into St Margaret's Road/White Rock Road. Diversions have been set up.

This would be a good time to evaluate the closure of this road except for emergency vehicles.

I have witnessed first hand the numerous near misses to pedestrians crossing Schwerte Way, especially from vehicles turning from the seafront northwards. Anyone who waits at this junction for 10 minutes can witness the serious problems it creates to pedestrians.

Let's not wait until a fatal accident occurs consider road closure and use this time spent on analysing the problems the temporary road diversions may cause.

Linda Webster

Amherst Road

Military tank

DOES anyone have any information on the Great War military tank that stood in West Parade from 1919 until the 1930s?

ROBERT SCOTT

53 Thesiger House

Grimsby, N.E. Lincs

DN32 7HW

Tel 01472 595029

Alive and active

I write in response to P Sleet who wondered if the Old Town Preservation Society was still in existence.

I can assure readers the Old Hastings Preservation Society is alive, active and making the views of members known with regard to planning issues across the town. We objected to the size and scale of the Ice House redevelopment in Rock-a-Nore Road and the demolition of the Observer building. We are working with members of Castle Ward Forum and volunteers in Clive Vale on creating a database of good local buildings that are valued by the community - Local Icons, as well as progressing our Old Town buildings database now moving into George Street.

We do however prefer to see a lively use for a building rather than a vacant shop and feel that bars, restaurants and cafes are surely preferable to empty premises or more amusement arcades in the Old Town? Regrettably, I suspect the anti-social

behaviour in the street would go on whether the licensed premises are an old- fashioned pub or a trendy bar.

Planning issues are only part of the society's activities. We are working on establishing Hastings History House at 21 Courthouse Street (open Thursday mornings as well as other times), Old Town Carnival Week 2007, is also at the forefront of current work as well as hoping for a busy summer with guided walks (Tuesday afternoons) and at the Fishermen's Museum which we administer. We have a full programme and welcome new volunteers and members to join us. Our AGM is on Friday June 15 at 7pm at Hastings History House. Or you can drop in one Thursday morning or contact us on 427718 for information.

Anne Scott

Chair

Old Hastings Preservation Society

Second to none

Reference your article in last week's Observer: I can only confirm that the aftercare for strokes is second to none.

Last week I suffered a minor stroke and the aftercare I received in A& E and in Tressel Ward was superb, all the staff were wonderful, so well done to Conquest.

Lew Boorman

The Croft

Fish stocks

On Friday I bought a packet of kipper fillets from the Co-Op store in London Road, St Leonards.

Imagine my astonishment when, upon opening the pack, I discovered that it contained not the normal two fillets but THREE of them.

So much for all those doom-and-gloom marine biologists who keep telling us that fish stocks are dangerously low due to man's incessant plundering of the oceans.

I think my experience gives the lie to that line of eco-propaganda!

Jeremy Wells

South Street,

St Leonards

Your views

Re: Public Involvement in Health

YOUR report of the Primary Care Trust Public Meeting which was held in Bexhill, on May 11, Observer week ending May 18, together with a somewhat inappropriate banner headline, warrants a few comments.

In the first instance the meeting was part of a consultation process to examine the future structure of the health service in the region and it was a great pity the bulk of the meeting was, once again, hijacked by the question of the disposition of the region's maternity services.

Dr Wilcox addressed the broad

question as well as giving first-hand information about the structure of the maternity services in East Sussex from an experienced practitioner's point of view.

Waffle his presentation was not and your headline only serves to emphasise the lack of perspective shown by our Battle MP Greg Barker. The so- called proposition five has, undoubtedly, certain merits which will no doubt be taken into consideration at the appropriate time. What was not raised, when considering the transport of women across the county by car, was the question as to whether or not a competent professional should accompany her or not.

A further point, which Mr Barker might have brought forward, is that a soon to be implemented EU rule, which limits doctors' working hours, and also applies to midwives and other personnel, could lead to the closure, or partial closure, of a large number of maternity units.

What the meeting did not achieve was to consider the position of the maternity services, important as they are, within the broader context of health provision. There are other aspects of health which affect much larger groups of patients which also need urgent attention. A case in point is the provision of intermediate and long term care for patients following hospital treatment and in particular the provision of support for family members, many of which are young persons, who are responsible for handicapped relatives with little respite to relieve the stress. There are many more issues like this which must be taken into consideration.

My Forum would welcome the views of members of the public on these and other issues. We have two special interest groups - one identifying issues to be taken into account in planning for the future and one to optimise public participation in the decision making process.

We would like to hear from you.

PROF PETER COX

Chairman

Hastings and Rother Public and Patient Involvement in Health Forum (PPI Forum)

Promotions

I totally agree with Barbara Rogers' comments (Letters, June 1) about encouraging people to use all of our lovely seafront, not just the Old Town end.

In fact we do publicise it quite extensively; with work underway on the Pier, and Marina Pavilion, hopefully visitors and residents will have more reasons to venture westwards.

Perhaps I could be allowed to answer a couple of points Barbara made in her letter.

We most certainly do produce publicity leaflets for Hastings, which are very widely distributed around the south-east and, of course, available in the Hastings Information Centre. In addition, we have produced, on behalf of the Marshlink Steering Group, a leaflet promoting local attractions that can be visited by train, and which has a number of special offers available to train ticket holders. We also work closely with both Southern and southeastern train operating companies to promote Hastings and its numerous attractions, and, indeed, southeastern has just agreed to help us with a poster campaign promoting our Seafood & Wine Festival in September.

We know how important visitors are to the local economy, and work hard to promote the town, and its fantastic attractions.

Kevin Boorman

head of destination

management & marketing

Hastings Borough Council

Not every view

With reference to the letter in the June 1 edition of the Observer headed Public enquiry, from Michael Paxman, of Wishing Tree Residents Association, I would like to point out not all members of this association agree with his opinion and stance on the link road. It is interesting to read of Michael's concerns regarding carbon emissions when he is the owner of two motor cars. Does he believe he does not contribute to pollution when driving either of these vehicles.

He is also concerned about the creation of out of town developments, leading to the downgrading of local shopping areas. I wonder which supermarket he drives to, depriving local shopkeepers of trade? If Michael and his other committee members really want to represent the opinions of local residents in the Wishing Tree area regarding the link road, why do they not canvass their opinion, for or against, instead of only putting forward their own negative views in local newsletters and the media. I think they will be surprised to learn more residents are for rather than against it. If this proves to be the case, as chairman of the association, he should be seeking assurances that traffic using the link road is evenly distributed when accessing or leaving it, to avoid the increase of traffic and drop in property prices in the Wishing Tree area he is so concerned about.

R Ward

Lime Close

St Leonards

Whose job?

Did Peter Pragnell, Tory leader of Hastings Council, really say 'We employ a chief executive to run the council for us' (Page 2, Hastings Observer, 1/6/07).

If he did then perhaps he could let us all know what he sees as his role and for what he and his fellow Tory councillors were elected.

I rather think he did say it because his party has no recognisable policies and has shown precious little sign of direction. So I'd better help him out with a simple 'job description'. The 'job' of the elected members of the council is to make the policies required to run the town - these policies are laid out in their election manifesto - different parties have different priorities - and the electorate chooses the policies that appeal to them most - that's why we have elections. The 'job' of the chief executive (there's a clue in the title) is to advise the elected members on the legality and affordability of their policies and then execute those policies. It is of course easier for an incompetent party to abdicate responsibility and let the chief

executive make all the decisions according to his whims and fancies and you can't chuck him out at the next round of elections if you disagree with him. I'm at a loss to see quite how this fits in with the democratic process and how it can reflect the views of those who took the trouble to turn out and vote. Perhaps the Mr Pragnell could explain.

Ion Castro

Braybrooke Road

Misleading

I write to clarify some misleading information in an article, 'Maternity cuts would save health bosses 1m', published on June 1.

The article implied the NHS in East Sussex is in some way prioritising financial considerations over clinical ones. I would like to reassure your readers that this is completely untrue. It was our doctors and other health professionals who told us that local maternity services needed to change. Their understanding of day-to-day clinical issues has been the basis of our four proposed options, all of which would offer better, safer services for local women and newborn babies.

The article also misinterprets some financial information which it claims has been 'revealed' by an unspecified source. In fact, these figures have been publicly available on our consultation website for many weeks. And they are in no way indicative of a reduction in spending on maternity and specialist baby care services.

Future staffing and safety issues will make changes to the way we care for local mums and newborn babies unavoidable. If we fail to address and plan for the challenges ahead now, it will become increasingly difficult for our staff to treat the more complex cases and the safety of both our maternity and special baby sites will be compromised.

If we were able to maintain the status quo (and our doctors have told us that we can't!) it also would cost an additional 2.3million a year. But regardless of the finances - doing nothing is simply not an option we can afford to consider.

For more information on our proposals or to tell us what they think about them local people can join us at one of our public meetings or:

visit the consultation website at www.southeastcoastfff.nhs.uk, send a letter to: Fit for the future, Freepost SEA 2474, BN82ZZ, send an email to: fitforthefuture@ esdwpct.nhs.uk

Of course it's important for the NHS to live within its means. But the purpose of this consultation is to make sure mums and babies in East Sussex have access to the best possible care - now and in the future.

Nick Yeo

Chief Executive

Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust

East Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trust

Not wanted

HOW I totally agree with Mr Lee's comments regarding the bikers who invade our town on May Bank Holiday, you are not alone. I too have made the mistake of driving down the A21, heading home from Hastings on that said day. I have also been subject to abuse and intimation and utter contempt shown by them to other road users. I've been cut up and overtaken in ways which would be best described as reckless, if not down right dangerous. I too cannot understand what it brings to the town, I'm sure a couple of pints in The Carlisle will not improve the town's fortune. I'm sure Eastbourne and Brighton wouldn't be so keen to entertain them.

It does seem a mystery why the police just look on, while this goes on, but I suppose it's the numbers they're afraid of.

If they are so keen on speed on their Japanese superbikes, maybe they should head for Brands Hatch, where their dangerous manoeuvres would be more appreciated. I am a car

driver in his 40s.

MR S TAYLOR

Winchelsea Road

Thrown away

Can anyone explain to me why having two wheelie bins, one for recyclable goods the other for general rubbish, and to make matters worse, fortnightly collections, will solve the over filling of the landfill sites? The same amount of rubbish will be generated. To me this simply appears to be a way to underuse the staff who collect our rubbish.

Many continental countries employ a three times a week collection.

Surely the way to reduce the amount of rubbish created is to encourage the reduction of excessive packaging at source?

It may also be prudent to teach younger people the benefits of domestic science which encourages people to cook and bake their own food instead of buying ready packaged products.

This was in the past a way of

reducing the amount of unnecessary packaging - and the throwing away product which was purchased when not required and thrown away when it exceeds it use by date.

Kevin Head

Old Roar Roas

St Leonards

HAVING written to Veiola (and not had any reply) on behalf of myself and neighbours concerning the fortnightly bin collections, it looks like it will go through. But why do we also have to lose our bin men, who we've had in this area for about the last five to six years? They are a great bunch of boys, friendly, hardworking and willing. Why do they have to be changed to another round, as far as I know they are all happy with their present round?

MRS ELDRIDGE

Victoria Avenue

Ore

Criticisms

I UNDERSTAND that Colin Jenner is not a music journalist (Observer, June 1) and we must therefore excuse his ignorance on matters musical.

He obviously has a bias towards electric bands, but folk music is an eclectic mix and to describe Hettie Dengate's set as mediocre was patently untrue. Many people in the audience commented on her lovely voice and having heard her sing in the past, I know she chooses her songs very carefully. To link his criticism concerning the Simon Hopper Band with dubious sexual practices was, to say the least, unfortunate and rather childish. While there are some kinds of folk music not to my taste, there is a place for everyone, and I look forward to a time when Colin Jenner feels he has the confidence to stand on the main stage at this festival and receive the same criticism that he so enthusiastically dishes out to others.

FRAN COURTNEY

Alfred Road

Mum's thanks

I would like to say a big thank you to the Hastings Observer for making me Mum in a Million in a recent competition.

I would also like to thank The High Beech Hotel for a lovely Sunday Carvery, Casa dei Fiori for the beautiful bouquet of flowers, the Odeon Cinema for the family ticket, we had a lovely afternoon and the Big Sleep Hotel for a two-night break which I am looking forward to. Lastly, thank you to my daughter Caroline for nominating me. I am very proud to be her mum.

VERENA ANSELL

Blackman Avenue

St Leonards

Driving us out?

Re: "My Word" - Observer, June 1

SO Peter you are getting a bit worried because of politics? Perhaps that is why you have not published my last two contributions?

Shame the rest of our Observer is full of political issues and stories. Trouble is, Peter, politicians have made just about every aspect of our lives one big issue of politics of one sort or another and that is why I have always balanced my contributions with critical points dealing with the issues. I remind you I was the only Conservative councillor to strongly oppose the closure of the Moreton Centre and Conservative county were not happy about that. I have been critical of the current regime over the same issues I was critical of the previous outfit. Just for good measure, Peter, I have approximately 150 Hastings residents who thank me for my contributions you print, some stop me in the street, many I meet at bowls functions and matches, some take the bother to phone me at home.

My contributions strike a chord with their feelings so I will continue to contribute in my usual style, you may or may not print them; we may or may not buy what you print.

What a shame the editorial now appears to wish to control our thoughts after such sterling work in the hospital closure campaign for example. All letters, Peter, mirror the public's concerns. Pity you wish to suppress something you dislike.

A final criticism you may not like. Just what is wrong with Hastings? Seen the over 300 properties for sale between Warrior Square and the Pier? Maybe your dislikes are driving them out, Peter.

DENNIS MOON

Hastings Road