Readers' letters - June 15

It has recently come to light that there have been FOI requests to Lancashire Constabulary for a publication of a risk assessment or plan in the event of an emergency evacuation at the Preston New Road fracking well site.So far, Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have failed to present a coordinated site specific emergency evacuation plan for Preston New Road. If there is such a plan, it has not been shared with schools and members of the surrounding community.In the event of a gas explosion, which is certainly not out of the question (and we have seen many cases of this over in the US and Canada), an exclusion zone of a three-mile radius is required, involving the rapid evacuation of local residents and policing of traffic.

Not only is a comprehensive evacuation plan put in place in the US fracking areas, as set out in the 'Right To Know Act' 1986, but it closely involves the local community and first responders and sets out procedures, natural gas emergency training and guidelines.The fact that there is an absence of any information, let alone a detailed evacuation plan in regards to this very important public safety matter, is very worrying and certainly does not inspire confidence in the so-called Gold Standard Regulation frequently heralded by our government.Sarah CraneAddress supplied

transportWasted day at train stationsAs I’m retired I can’t be classed as a regular rail customer but when I do intend to travel while, for instance, enjoying the Northern/Johnston Press promotional Ranger tickets, I’ll plan my days accordingly.On the run-up to May 20, I visited my two local staffed stations to pick up new time-tables. No luck.So, with a couple of days of industrial action imminent, I elected for May 23 to travel to Northern’s hub stations to collect all their timetables. Beforehand (I don’t have computers), I had to research an itinerary at my local library and finished by supplementing my Ranger ticket with one for East Midland Trains, so Sheffield could be checked for south Yorkshire timetables.On May 23, everything went wrong at Preston, where my train to Manchester was showing as one of three delayed plus two others were cancelled. At 10.35am, the 10.24 joined the list of cancellations, with platform announcements telling people to join the following 10.44 to Piccadilly. This resulted in missing my connection to Sheffield and, indeed, a following Northern train, especially as the 10.44 was terminated at Oxford Road.As the railway media reiterates, these timetable changes are the most phenomenal in decades and to be effective, Network Rail and the train operators would have had to collaborate for many months beforehand, not withstanding any engineering over-runs.To conclude my wasted day out, I managed to get to Leeds, having found no Northern timetables in Manchester or indeed Leeds, where I tried to call it a day.“Next train to Carnforth please?” “3.51pm (initially), er sorry it’s cancelled”. I would blame Network Rail and Arriva as the franchise holder for these mess-ups. I’ve sent my claim form to Northern, not for the loss of tickets, but to ask for another day on my life, please.‘Scenic in the mist’ (copyright), aka Kit RogersKendalhealthHoney is a hayfever cure

I’m a great believer in old wives’ tales and remedies are top of the list. Springtime is the season that kicks off the allergies, with hay fever sufferers the biggest casualties. With no cure as such, there are the old-fashioned remedies to combat the distress of sore eyes, runny noses and a generally run-down feeling. Having your bedroom and work place well-ventilated is a good start. Honeybees are the answer in your immunity to the many types of pollen and nectar that you breathe in every day and night. Source a beekeeper within a five-mile radius of your home and place an order for a regular supply of honey. One teaspoon of local honey at bedtime will grow your immune system.Taken in warm milk or hot water each night, it will clear the sinuses and ease the tickly coughs to begin a good night’s sleep. In the wintertime, switch to mixing honey in your porridge and slice in a banana – your immune system will be ready to fend off the springtime onslaught.Alex GilliesAddress suppliedenvironmentWhere is bin for glass bottles?

In the Fulwood area, I am not alone wondering what had happened to the bin for ‘used glass containers’? The Royal Preston Hospital one vanished ages past – now Booths’ bin is missing! Not an encouraging outlook is it?!Joan E Hardcastle MBEFulwood