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‘Support pub right of way’ appeal (From Wharfedale Observer)
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Wharfedale Observer readers write to the Editor about the issues that matter to them.
‘Support pub right of way’ appeal
8:50am Thursday 10th January 2008
SIR, - In November 2007 the Summercross pub on the eastern edge of Otley closed against the wishes of the landlord and local residents. The successful landlord was enjoying an increasing buoyant trade and the pub was rapidly returning to its pivotal role in the local community.
Just before Christmas, Chartford Homes, the current owners of the pub, added insult to injury by fencing off the pub carpark.
The car park has been used as a pedestrian route between East Busk Lane and Danefield Terrace, and between Danefield Terrace and Pool Road, for more than 120 years. The only alternative is to take the longer route along the unsuitable and unsafe Ings Lane which is dark, very narrow with no footpath, wet and slippery.
In response to this closure the following day the Save Our Sumercross campaign formally submitted 24 formal Rights of Way evidence forms from long-term local residents to Leeds City Council.
Please help our campaign to restore the right of way and reopen the pub which has a vital social role in this area of Otley. For further information please visit our website at www.sosotley.org.uk
Alastair Watson 5 Elm Terrace,Otley.
Action at blackspot
SIR, - Yet again over Christmas we saw another accident at the Maple Grange Bends. When is something going to be done about this accident blackspot?
What are our councillors doing? We are tired of being fobbed off for years with empty promises to do something to reduce the number of accidents at this spot. This is nothing new - in fact after each accident over the years it is reported that Coun Kirkland will do something about it.
I launched my petition online at www.kencreek.com more than six weeks ago calling for the speed to be reduced to 40mph. Support is growing daily. The petition can also be found at various shops in Otley.
After initially dismissing my calls for a reduced speed limit in August, Coun Kirkland has finally agreed with me that 40mph with speed cameras is the best option, but then says it is not enforceable.
What planet is he living on?
Further down the road at the Manor Park Bends into Ilkley, the speed reduction, enforced by cameras has stopped all accidents on that stretch of road. Speed cameras do work!
In the meantime, the road can be improved by straightening and repairing all the lighting columns, clearing the undergrowth which partially obscure the warning chevrons, clearly mark the road verges and putting up warningsigns - or even straightening the warning sign knocked down in a previous accident.
Money should not be a factor - if Leeds can waste £120k on a safety fence at Wharfemeadows Park, then they must be able to find the comparatively smaller amount to save lives at a known accident blackspot.
Ken Creek Conservative candidate, Otley and Yeadon Ward,33 Milner Bank,Otley.
Health centre fears
SIR, - I have been a user of the services at Moor Lane Centre, Burley-in-Wharfedale, for approximately four years and would like to let your readers know that its future is now hanging in the balance.
Bradford District Care Trust, who throughout the past year have talked of plans to close this unit, now say through their newly appointed general manager Mr Simon Jones that it will stay open.
This is excellent news but can we believe the pendulum will not swing in the other direction in another month or so? In among all this indecision are patients and staff who don't know what is going to happen next.
In 2003 your paper published an article about this unit winning an award for its guesting and respite services beating off competition from 46 other groups in Bradford area, the scheme being unique in the North of England.
Nothing has changed - it is still the same excellent centre today, yet sadly Moor Lane is under threat of closure. I personally feel change is not always the best way forward. As the saying goes why mend something that is not broken?' I hope Mr Jones sticks to his word and Bradford District Care Trust sees sense and keeps this valuable asset.
The trust needs to know how many vulnerable people are being adversely affected by these conflicting statements, these being the same people health service managers should be trying to help.
Joan Tiffany Burnside Avenue,Skipton.
Rubbish left
SIR, - Its not often that feel the need to comment publicly on matters that concern me locally but on this occasion I feel that a comment must be made.
Having worked on our charity stall (Otley Rotary Club) until a little after 9pm on Otley Victorian Fayre Friday, I retired to a local hostelry in Kirkgate.
Upon leaving at 10.30pm I was astonished to find that whilst Leeds City Council had removed some of the stalls in Kirkgate they had not made any attempt to remove any of the litter from the paths and road way the site was incredible.
Why do we pay Leeds so much money? It's beyond me!
Alan G Sowden Falcon Close,Otley.
No democracy
SIR, - Democracy as practised by Western society is always spoken of reverently with the same respect as religion.
It is promoted as the holy grail for life and freedom but nothing could be further from the truth.
Evidence of failure is everywhere. Look at Kenya, Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan. Chaos, death and destruction are the result of democracy'.
Even in the UK and America democracy is not a system of social justice, equality and freedom. It is capitalist consumerism. Our lives revolve around working like slaves to buy goods we don't need and end up on the scrap heap poisoning the environment.
Trust in Western democracy is completely unjustified and it should be redefined. What is required is green social democracy where states do what they are told by the people. Not the other way round as it is here.
In this country democracy has produced a dictatorial government elected by a minority of 22 per cent but uses lies to justify its military and capitalist ambitions. And yet the media bangs the drum of how wonderful it is. Well it isn't, it stinks.
The public are chided to take personal responsibility but at the same time are hypocritically and undemocratically denied a voice on issues like the European constitution, immigration, nuclear power and war. We are patronisingly told this is a Parliamentary democracy and politicians know better than we do!
All the world's ills are caused by democracy', religion, politics and capitalism and it is time we did away with them all and started again. Democracy should be given its true meaning by taking power away from the State and given back to the people.
Malcolm Naylor, 21 Grange View,Otley.
Dim view of lights
SIR, - Why do the Christmas lights in Ilkley and Burley-in-Wharfedale put those of Otley in the shade?
Otley's Christmas efforts always seem half-hearted and a token gesture rather than an attempt to light up the town for the festive season.
How come other places do it so much better?
NAME AND ADDRESSS SUPPLIED
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The editor reserves the right to shorten or amend letters for space or legal reasons. All letters submitted for publication must include the author’s name, address and contact details. Only on request and at the editor’s discretion, will an author’s name be withheld on publication.
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