Fit seem to exploit blue badges
I am a pensioner, not disabled, and neither do I have any medical experience, but it always amazes me to see so many blue disabled badges in circulation.
Whenever I go to a supermarket or shopping centre, cars displaying these badges are parked nearest the entrance to the store.
These people who cannot walk across the car park, then walk around the store for an hour or more.
In Preston these people also park in Winckley Square, even though the Mall car park (where there is a charge), is nearer the shops.
Then most of them walk around town for a couple of hours.
How many times when on holiday do you see travellers who have been given priority for being disabled on the plane, then dashing around their hotel or resort?
I am all in favour of genuine wheelchair users and genuine disabled having badges, but I do think that the system is widely abused.
With regard to Mr R Hopkins's letter of July 2 about bus passes not being valid after 11pm, let us be thankful for what we get.
On the whole pensioners and disabled are well looked after.

Grateful Pensioner, Preston
(full name and address supplied)

Bus drivers should take more care
Every credit to the New City taxi driver for not allowing yet another bad mannered bus driver to rule the roads.
I have been in the same situation on The Boulevard, but no stand-off took place.
This was due to the driver of the other vehicle having enough common sense to realise that I had already committed myself to overtaking a long row of parked cars and despite him having the right of way, he knew I had nowhere else to go.
Judging by your picture it looks like the exact same place I was in.
I can remember bus drivers having a smile on their faces and allowing people to sit down before they set off.
I invite any bus driver to come to work in my taxi for a day and they will see the reaction I get from elderly people after I have helped them sit down or carried their shopping into my boot.
It's total job satisfaction for me.

Alan
(full name and address supplied)

Missing appointment may be due to error
I read in the Evening Post recently about the huge numbers of patients missing their hospital appointments and the consequence to the health trust.
Has any research been done to identify why some patients miss their appointments?
Did the patients ever receive their appointments, or did they arrive several hours after the allocated time of consultation?
I have had experience of both scenarios and from letters in your paper and talking with other people, this is not too unusual.
It would appear that at times there is a problem with the administration of the appointments system especially at RPH.
So it is important before labelling patients as "DNAs" to check if they received their appointments and on time.
Yes, missed appointments cost the Trust money, but a missed appointment might be a matter of life and death for the patient.
Early diagnosis is vital for successful treatment which in itself is cost effective.
I acknowledge that there are patients who miss their appointments, but do not tar us all with the same brush.

Sally Kendall, Giller Drive, Penwortham

Highlight prices of tickets at Blackpool
I was curious as to whether you will be reporting the outrageous price PNE fans will have to pay to watch the team at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool next season: £30.
I think this is in contravention of the league rules which say no club shall charge higher admission prices for visiting supporters for accommodation comparable with or inferior to that used by supporters of the home club.
The away stand is temporary. It is uncovered, has no bar or concourse on which to congregate and the only refreshments are available from a van.
Blackpool claim that the home fans are charged the same but are able to get a discount of about £10 per match by purchasing membership at a cost of £20.

Drew Gale, via email

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