Peace and quiet was swept away
Having lived in Lostock Hall all my life I have watched as the area round my home has been steadily redeveloped.
I was brought up with fields at the back of my home and remember when Lostock Lane really was a lane and the peace, quiet and nature which has been eroded since.
Now we have Santa Pod raceway at the back of my house with screeching brakes all hours of the day and night and gridlock when there is a problem on the M6.
The council redeveloped the fields adjacent to my back garden into a park. This has now created what can only be described as a dogs’ toilet. I spend all year removing either empty beer cans, bottles and dog excrement in plastic bags off my garden or dogs unleashed running rampant through my flower beds despite having notices saying Private Property and when the weather is nice the weekends being kept awake till all hours listening to screaming gangs of teenagers having parties.
I have e-mailed South Ribble Council several complaints about this and heard nothing. I think their head of customer service must be Lord Lucan.
I now see an article in the paper objecting to the redevelopment of Wateringpool Lane into housing (LEP February 7). What happened to these people when Lostock Hall was redeveloped into the shambles it is now? Councillors stated at the time that redevelopment would be good for jobs and business in the area. Have they perhaps changed there opinions because it’s on their doorstep. There is yet further development planned for Lostock Hall and I bet they are in favour of that . I think its nice to see Tardy Gate getting their share.
Anthony Nelson, Lostock Hall
Councillors need not be ashamed
Why do councillors become so defensive when discussing their expenses? We should be more concerned as to how many councillors we need, what they do and whether they are competent: the allowances are modest for the work performed on our behalf. It is surely demeaning when a councillor needs to boast that he takes less than the full amount or feels he has to defend his decision to have a snack when away on council business.
The issue is really quite simple: when councillors take office it is a personal matter as to whether remuneration is taken. Some councillors prefer to act pro bono and I applaud them for that decision. In fact, I had a co-opted council position for some eight years, and also decided at the outset to take neither the allowance nor the expenses. I took this view because I did not feel comfortable taking public money for a community task. However, that was purely a personal matter. It is neither right nor wrong to take the allowances which are independently set, but rather a matter for the individual. So come on councillors, get on with the job and spend less time worrying about whether to buy a filter coffee or a latte.
John Shaw, Garstang
Green scheme is way off beam
Since the number of bins outside my house multiplied from one to four, I have done my best to embrace the culture of recycling.
The threat of large landfill taxes on our already depleted council resources is cause enough to want to help out, let alone saving the planet although I can’t help thinking ‘what’s the point?’
When I am dividing up yoghurt pots, newspapers and potato peelings coal-fired power stations are being opened on a weekly rate in China and India. Nonetheless recycle I do and feel the better for it. The kitchen caddy is handy and so too the biodegradable bags that go with them so you don’t end up with loads of rotten mess in the bottom of the indoor bin. So imagine my surprise this week, after receiving newly requested second batch of bags that these would be the last we get from the council.
After that we are expected to buy our own or work out some other system, whether it be taking food waste straight outside to the big green bin or using some alternative bin liner that’s probably leaky or not degradable. I’m rather disappointed about this. I know the council is short of money but I think the palaver caused by not having free bin bags will prove a disincentive and folk will start chucking their food straight in the ordinary kitchen bin and thence to the black bin once more.
A bit of an own goal.
Name and address supplied.
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