Disabled and old deserve more
The article on the front page of Saturday's Post regarding cuts in free travel for elderly people, only tells half the story. Disabled people like myself have the same free travel passes. I am outraged by the new "no travel before 9.30am or after 11pm" rules.
The councils say they no longer have the money to fund free travel early in the morning or late at night. I am baffled.
Preston City Council has just wasted vast sums of money overspending on Avenham Park projects,
Meanwhile politicians at all levels (local, national and European) exploit the expenses system.
Now I discover that MEPs, who can already afford a lavish lifestyle, are having "champagne study days" at public expense.
It is about time that the public had some control over public expenditure. Leave the disabled and pensioners alone. Local and national governments should give us more.
Robert Hopkins, Gaythorne Avenue, Preston

UFOs could simply be high clouds
Having recently read the article relating to UFOs over Preston,
I found the accounts of those witnesses very striking and
interesting.
While I do not dismiss the sightings, I do believe they can be explained in most, if not all cases.
In this particular scenario the features described by the observers are very similar to those associated with noctilucent clouds.
These form high in the atmosphere at altitudes of 75-85km above the surface of the earth, and therefore remain illuminated by the sun for a considerable length of time. The movement is also highly erratic and can change
position and shape in a matter of minutes.
The explanation becomes more plausible when considering the fact that they are most abundant and commonly seen in the summer months, and have been questionably linked with global warming.
If, like me, you are open-minded, it is tempting to believe that these recent sightings were visitors from outer space, but my head tells me otherwise and bows to the rational explanation I have put forward.
Paul Nelson, Bamber Bridge, via email

Stop complaining and slow down
With the county's shocking road accident toll why does the LEP run major stories campaigning to protect speeding motorists? The Post prints large headlines like: "The great speed camera con-trick", "The speed camera trap for crawling," and so on.
The paper attacks camera vehicles parked on pavements, with room for pedestrians to pass; it attacks them parked, with permission, on private drives and highly visible from the rear. It moans about the money cameras make, without being incensed at the unbelievably high number of speeders involved.
Nor does it headline, "No speeding - no money," or "If the speeders don't pay, for costly speed controls, then the rest of us will."
Law breakers generally ignore all the speed related accident statistics. Many don't care about the facts of how each mile per hour over the limit, in a crash, greatly increases the chance of death.
They don't worry about the high cost of speed related accidents to the NHS, plus loss of earnings and death and disability benefits.
They can't see they cost us all a fortune in speed reduction measures plus the expense of extra high visibility warning signs.
Peter Ward JP, Cottam, via email

We must stand up for civil liberties
It is extremely refreshing to see that there is an MP in Westminster with sufficient integrity to resign over an issue of conscience.
David Davis is prepared to sacrifice his political career to illustrate that our civil liberties are being undermined by this Government with the excuse of terrorism.
This is the thin end of an extremely thick wedge whereby our rulers are imposing ever-growing state control on our private lives.
It is all very well to say this measure has countrywide support, but does the average citizen realise what is really happening here?
The rampant growth of CCTV surveillance in public places (apparently now one camera per 14 citizens) is another extremely worrying manifestation of state interference, reminiscent of Orwell's prescient novel '1984'.
We should not be led by the nose, but should remember Napoleon's words: "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
John Tilley, The Oaks, Chorley

Changing calendar unfair on Christians
I would like to express my views on the idea of changing calendar notation from AD (Anno Domini - "in the year of the Lord") and BC (Before Christ) to CE and BCE.
These stand for Common Era and Before Common Era.
As a Christian, I find this change offensive. The notation AD/BC has Christian roots, and the attempt to change it, some would perceive as religious tolerance. But if this were so it would tolerate all religions, but it excludes one, namely Christianity.
I see it is an excuse to deny the existence of Jesus Christ.
I respect people of other faiths, and hope that they too can respect Christians and Christianity.
Mrs Elizabeth Moseley, Shirley Lane, Longton

Euro football boring without England
The letter writer who said that Euro 2008 was a better tournament for not having England in it, cannot be serious. Where is the man's patriotic pride? People need a national team to get behind. The whole tournament was a non-starter for me.
Name and address supplied
Add your views to proposed laws
I would like to invite readers to consider contributing their thoughts on proposed legislation that the Government will bring
before Parliament next session.
The Government has published Preparing Britain for the Future - the Draft Legislative Programme 2008-09, which sets out the Government's plans.
A major consultation has been launched with the public and interested parties. As Minister for the North West I believe it is important to hear what people in our communities think.
Challenges such as: how the economy can be kept stable in an uncertain world; how the safety of our streets and neighbourhoods can be ensured; how people can be better educated and trained and how a greener environment can be sustained are all covered by the legislation.
Full details of the draft legislation can be found at: www.Commons Leader.gov.uk/draftprogramme
You can comment on the programme at: www.Commons Leader.gov.uk/YourVoice
You can also see what is going on in the North West at:
www.CommonsLeader.gov.uk/regionalactivity
Beverley Hughes, Regional Minister for the North West

Chorley Cake query
Are Chorley Cakes made in Chorley? I love them but whenever I buy a packet at the supermarket, they seem to be made anywhere but. And what is their origin? I'd really like to know.
I like to think I take a keen interest in currant affairs and hope you don't mind me raisin this particular subject.
Lanky lass (full name and address supplied)

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