REGARDING the Forty Foot riverside road that has a nasty habit of claiming lives; and will continue to do so until those at Shire Hall wake up. Each time a life is lost to this river we get cries for action, and yet those who should be dealing with the problem do nothing practical.

During the past 11 years this riverside road had been headline news on many occasions; but positive action to rectify the problem has been sparse.

Yes, they have introduced an uncontrollable 50 mph speed limit, also put up a scoreboard for the number of deaths on that section of road; and now two more lives have been taken.

Cambs County Council highways accident prevention team told us in August 2005 that 79 per cent of our fatal accidents occur on our rural roads with speed limits of over 40mph; what are our county councillors doing about this? After all, they have to sanction any decisions that are taken.

They also claim that each fatal accident cost the authorities in the region of £1.4 million. We read of suggestions from members of the public to make this road safe for people to travel along.

I did read of a freelance construction project manager saying the longterm solution is to close the road to through traffic and send Peterborough traffic via Benwick and Whittlesey, or along the A141 to the Goosetree junction, then on to Whittlesey and Peterborough. How long is the longterm? The only way to find out if such suggestions would work is to test them, as it would be with the traffic light system; however a 'spokesman' for CCC condemned the traffic light controlled system without CCC discussion or trial.

This spokesman gives the impression that he knows how to jump lights, and to speed between them. The same person is of the opinion that the area is without electrical power and no grass verges on the other side of the road; all of this is theory, not fact. I would have thought CCC would consider discussing any proposals put forward, after all, over the past years they have not presented any practical proposals for discussion.

The accident prevention schemes are worked out in theory; not reality. They claim that their recent scheme at Clewes Corner in October 05 would have to show a 30 per cent reduction in accidents in the first year to give them an 85 per cent return on the £110,000 invested in the project. So far there was one accident during the alterations, another serious one two weeks after it was completed, and three other vehicles have left the road on the approaches to the bends to date.

The theoretical things they spent the money on do not appear to be showing much of a return on their investment, also the entire project requires another three days' work to rectify faults found on completion. R A WENN, Acre Fen, Chatteris. How about a new road?

I JUST thought I would send you my views on the Ramsey Forty Foot road. If the bank is unstable and cannot take a barricade, how about making a new road in the field right next to the old road, leaving the old road for tractors and fishermen?

I know there are houses along the Forty Foot but I believe they are set back far enough, although it would depend on the people living there if they were prepared to sell part of their land. But I see this as the most practical solution, except of course the council will say they couldn't afford it, and hey, what are a few lives where money is concerned?

CHATTERIS READER,
Full name and address supplied.


What are the reasons for college merger?

SUE Irving's front page news (Wisbech edition, January 25), on the possible relocation of Isle College, left me confused and more than just a little perturbed. I must admit to more than just a passing interest, with two sons currently attending the college, studying for higher education qualifications.

The reported amalgamation of the Wisbech (Isle) College with the College of West Anglia, with the possible relocation to the town of March has prompted local leaders, Mr Richard Barnwell, a former mayor, and Coun Roger Green, to ask the same question which I would pose – what exactly are the reasons for this? – and point to the fact that Wisbech would be the poorer for the loss of this facility.

The Principal Designate of West Anglia College, Mr Peter Stewart, is reported as advising that consultations are ongoing on the subject, but there appears to be no significant involvement of the residents of the area, who, like myself, may have strong opinions on the subject, and additionally, the possible impact on the students if this proposal goes ahead.

Although it is realised that the Isle College governors have no obligation to publish the facts on this proposed relocation, it makes one wonder what agenda lies behind the possible decision to relocate, bearing in mind that the location of the college in Ramnoth Road is a prime development location, and the sale of such would raise significant funds.

And under the present political climate of housing policy, almost certainly, the Secretary of State would be in agreement with housing development on this site.

However, as argued, and for the reasons outlined by local leaders, Wisbech would be the loser if the decision to relocate the college some 15 miles distant was agreed.

The existing Isle College has plenty of open space around the present location if they wish to expand, and the current transport facilities are adequate, with many of the students being 'bussed' in from the surrounding areas

Although there is no obligation for them to do so, perhaps the governors, as a sign of good faith, could provide an explanation to the community of the reasons behind the proposal for their possible departure from the town.

GEO SUTHERLAND,
Cherry Road, Wisbech.


'Lone females are an easy target' after dark

REGARDING Mrs C A Clarke's letter of January 10.

As a female worker in the Horse Fair I agree entirely with Mrs Clarke. I work until 6.30/7pm every night. Now I have to use one of the council car parks. The town is badly lit in parts at night and you have to pass all manner of undesirables along the way.

It is a long walk in the dark, often raining and icy. In the past few weeks we have had stabbings in the town, lone females are an easy target.

If you use the Chapel Lane car park how are you supposed to cross from Freedom Bridge over to the Horse Fair? But there's another debate.

There are no yellow bays left in the Horse Fair car park after 8.30am. I have written to the Horse Fair management asking if workers could have permits to park on the top level of the car park – after all, the companies that lease the units pay enough in rates and management fees.

Apparently the car park is owned by the Horse Fair but regulated by the council as to how many yellow bays, etc, they can have – so should we be directing our complaints at them?

Shoppers have the luxury of shopping in the daytime, when they want – we workers do not. When I leave work every night I shop in Somerfield and spend about £20 a night so as I do not have to come into town at weekends, but I won't be doing this now I have so far to carry things. So, even though I'm a shopper, after work I can't park in the Horse Fair in the day.

Or perhaps, as I live out of town, I should catch a bus. Well, I would if there was one. There are no buses where I live between 7.30 - 9.40am, and if I can't leave before 6.10pm I face a long walk home of around six miles.

So, when I walk to the car park tonight, let's hope that I don't need the police or hospital services. Something has to be done to benefit shoppers and workers alike, or Wisbech will end up with neither.

GUYHIRN READER,
full name and address supplied.


Council issues public apology to laundry group

WITH reference to a report about grant aid being given to local groups and organisations by Fenland Council which appeared in the Citizen on January 25.

The story referred to the fact that an application for grant aid by Fenland Community Laundry Service look set to be refused by the council's overview and scrutiny policy panel at its meeting on Thursday.

The reason given for the refusal was that it would set a precedent for supporting businesses as opposed to voluntary and/or community groups. The story was an accurate report of the facts, as we believed them to be, at the time.

As chairman of the overview and scrutiny review team which carried out a review into the grant process, I wish to extend a public apology to the group concerned.

We were under a misapprehension about the status of the Fenland Community Laundry Service, believing it to be a business organisation, not a voluntary group which we now know is the case.

As a result of this, we will be revisiting the group's application in April where it will receive due consideration in line with the criteria used to determine the other applications. On behalf of the other members of the review team, I wish to assure all voluntary and community groups that we always strive to be fair and just when determining any application for grant aid.

COUN KEN MAYOR,
Chairman, Fenland Council overview and scrutiny policy panel.


Why don't people use the pelican crossing?

ARE people stupid? Please tell me that is not so.

There is a perfectly good pelican crossing on Lynn Road in Wisbech, so why must people cross near the fish shop or near the Bowling Green. They hold the traffic up, some drivers even stop to let them cross.

I recently saw two disabled people – both in their electric scooters – attempting to cross, when the crossing is specially designed for them. Young mothers and grandmothers, who should know better, cock the wheels of the pushchairs into the traffic. I am a driver and a pedestrian, so it is quite disturbing.

LOCAL RESIDENT,
full name and address supplied.


Most visitors are patients

DO the people who suggest this Payto- Park scheme at Doddington Hospital realise that most people who visit this hospital are patients being treated or to see doctors, etc?

A so-called money-making scheme will soon cost more to run than it earns. Due to the cost of transport for people who have to visit the hospital, most of the people who visit the hospital are taken there by others, who are other friends or helpers.

Who will help them if they are penalised by stupid parking fees?

W V T SKINNER,
Stone Cross Way, March.


F.A.S.T. help to get us out of no-man's land

AS a parent with a young person with a form of autism – Aspergers Syndrome – I wish to bring to your readers' attention that 2006 is the centenary year of Hans Asperger's birth.

There are difficulties faced by those surrounded by the condition, but a new support group is being started in Fenland. Hans Asperger was an Austrian paediatrician who became interested and studied children who had normal intelligence but exhibited autistic like behaviours during the 1930's and 1940's.

It was not until the late 1960's and early 1970's that Asperger's studies were first published into English, and slowly some began being diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, Able Autistic and High Functioning Autism.

More recent research has shown that approximately 1-in-300 people are affected by this life-long condition. Yet sadly those affected or surrounded by this common condition receive little or no support and understanding. Often they are left feeling stigmatized and living a marginalised existence.

Aspergers Syndrome unfortunately often does not meet any present day criteria to allow sufferers and their families to access provisions normally available to those with special needs or disabilities. Without support they are unable to access 'normal' activities which the rest of society take for granted. At times the families can reach crisis point with nowhere to turn for help. Basically they are left in no-man's land, and appear to have been overlooked or forgotten and the condition trivialised. Those affected have three main areas of difficulties – communication, socialisation and imagination. Their appearance is 'normal' and they do not visually stand out.

It is how they behave as they have limited understanding of social rules, the way they think and communicate, which does make them different. Many also have co-ordination difficulties. Poor parenting skills are often quoted as being the main cause for the child's difficulties, which is totally ill-informed and incorrect. Too often the children do not receive the help and support which they require in school, which can end with exclusion.

Although of at least average intelligence, the way sufferers learn and the support they need to reach their full potential differs to the majority within the classroom. This leaves the parents the only ones to not only fight for their child's needs but to cope with being a parentcarer with little or no support.

Thankfully we in Fenland will soon have F.A.S.T., a new group which is starting in April whose principle aims will be improving the children's social and communications skills in a play setting – offering a place where siblings and parents/ carers can share experiences and offer peer support in a welcoming, nonjudgemental atmosphere.

I as a parent warmly welcome this new group as it will be meeting the needs of a group of people who desperately need it, and have been forgotten in the past.

MARIA COOPER,
Fundrey Road, Wisbech.