MAY I bring to the powers-that-be the following suggestion regarding the problem related to various traffic accidents in connection with the Forty Foot river.

I believe the true cause is "speed". This road has only recently been resurfaced, and should not be classed as a bumpy length of highway.

However, may I suggest the following idea. I read in the Daily Mail recently that on the M11 speed cameras are to be installed, covering a long length of motorway, recording traffic speeds for measured distances, and actions taken accordingly for those breaking the limit.

Surely this could be the solution alongside the Forty Foot?

There are only a few roads leading off this stretch – to Benwick, Warboys and, of course Ramsey, at the far end.

If cameras were installed, say from Carters Bridge to the Ramsey junction, with monitors at the other junctions, this stretch could easily be made a 50 mile an hour limit.

If costs came into the question, my answer would be as follows – 50mph limit, for exceeding the limit, fines of £500, plus an extra £100 fine for every ten miles an hour over the limit.

This may seem rather excessive but £500 or more should make them think twice, and could go towards the cost of providing the cameras.

This would in no way damage or require work to the very narrow river bank.

March car driver,
name and address supplied.


Who is responsible for these ridiculous laws?

I WOULD like to add my comments on the mounting concern by fellow drivers of ever-increasing excessive speeding in this country.

Our roads are now totally inadequate for both the numbers of vehicles and the total disregard by the Chancellor to allocate the funds required to provide roads necessary to accommodate such traffic.

We now have satellite navigation. It cannot be beyond the limits for engineers to modify this system to provide speed limiters to adjust the speed of every vehicle to the immediate conditions, thus removing all speed cameras which upset many drivers.

In addition car manufacturers/dealers should be required to provide a test track where vehicles can be tested to the limits of the manufacturers' specifications without any danger to other road users, but never exceed any given speed limit on any road in this country.

My son-in-law suffered a rear shunt, his car written off, and he was off work for two months.

The police took no action against the driver and qualified their apparent inaction by claiming the offender failed to answer his door, and after six months no further action can be taken.

One wonders who is responsible for such ridiculous laws in this country?

Michael O'Connor,
Sherbrook Close, March.


Catastrophe waiting to happen

The problem of road safety has been to the fore these past two months – speed and road conditions being the main problems.

At Clewes Corner on the A141 Chatteris to Warboys road we have a classic example of the failure of an accident prevention scheme.

Since the scheme was completed many drivers are taking these bends at between 10 and 15 mph faster on the new anti-skid surface; which incidentally is rapidly breaking up. And west-bound traffic is cutting the corner – so they are running on the grass verges, demolishing the marker posts.

Due to the elevation the road surface water runs to the west-bound side of the road, there is no drainage so the water cannot get away, thus making the verge unstable. A road traffic catastrophe is just waiting to happen.

I ask the authorities, do they call this accident prevention?

I have never called for a speed limit; I ask for speed restrictions to make drivers slow down when negotiating these bends.

If you keep the status quo then lives will continue to be taken, and with the present price of a fatal accident being £1.4 million, common sense should come into the equation.

R A Wenn,
Acre Fen, Chatteris.


Costly tipping could have been avoided

Ref the report in the Fenland Citizen of February 8 headlined "Man fined £1,000 for fly-tipping".

A costly move on his behalf and avoidable if he had been aware and made use of the correct council procedure that is in practice for disposing of asbestos waste.

This service is FREE to householders in Fenland and commences by first contacting Fenland District Council (FDC) for the correct asbestos waste disposal bags, which are then used by the householder to convey the waste to Frimstone's site at Algores Way, in Wisbech.

Last December I asked FDC to publish this service via local news papers, but have yet to see a response.

A local resident who has used this facility,
full name and address supplied.


We'll 'grass' on dirty dog owners

Everyday we get some dog do its business on the grass outside our house. So many people do not clear up their dog's mess.

Ironically, someone told the council my partner had not been clearing up after our dogs! We presently have six greyhounds.

My partner has had greyhounds for 25 years. Clearing up any dog mess is not, and never has been, a problem for us.

When a bitch passes urine she squats – which can, of course, look like she is doing something else. A very irate woman verbally attacked me when my female greyhound did squat to pass urine. I tried to explain... but to no avail.

We've now decided to 'grass' up anyone who does not clear up their dog's mess. We used to just complain between ourselves ... but for someone to accuse my partner of this has really infuriated the two of us.

Next time we see someone not clearing away mess, we will be asking for a name and address. We might not get it, but if we do, they will be receiving a letter from the council informing them of their wrongdoing.

Dog owners,
Elm Road, March.


Posh needs a helping hand...

My name is 'Posh', I am an 11-month-old German Shepherd bitch and have got myself lost.

I was staying in the Foul Anchor area of Tydd, near Wisbech, for a few days. I normally live in March, just by the river.

On Wednesday I decided to explore the Foul Anchor area. I cleared a fence and I was off.

My family must be terribly worried and I miss my friend, a rescue dog called Bonnie.

I know that local people are friendly and do good things for others all the time, the Citizen says so every week.

If you see me, I am not harmful. Please give me a drink of water, somewhere to rest, and contact my family, on 01354 656422, or the Fenland Dog Warden Terry Ball on 01354 622547.

I know that your efforts will not go un-rewarded. Please help, all I want to do is go home, cuddle up to my friend Bonnie and have some of my favourite food. Is that too much for a dog to ask?

Posh,
(sender's full name and address supplied).


Adding to the turbine debate

THE wind turbine debate has surfaced again.

A somewhat "tongue in cheek " column in a recent edition of the Citizen by Ian Watson, produced a rather sharp response by John Stoneman in Public Platform on February 15.

Although my preference for the future energy requirements of the UK is based on the use of nuclear power, I must admit to a positive feeling toward wind turbines.

Whatever your feelings are regarding these rather large modern day "windmills", the use of renewable energy sources is certainly a fact that must be accepted.

Wind energy, both in the UK and western Europe, is well underway, and detailed information is readily available on the world wide web, including the website of the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA).

One set of data, which are difficult to correlate, is the cost – both of the wind turbine installation and the possible cost per unit of electricity to the consumer.

I have managed to determine that the initial cost of wind turbine generating units would be more expensive than the equivalent fossil fuelled power station.

One fact should be quite clear, however. With sufficient quantity of turbines, the cost to the consumer should be constant, with no major increases in cost due to the uncertainty of fuel supplies.

With regard to "saving our skyline" from these modern day windmills. This is a factor some folk, who describe the structures as "ugly", will have to accept. No doubt the people of Holland had the same views, when windmills were constructed around Amsterdam in order to keep them dry.

The problem associated with our feathered friends who regularly attempt to fly through the blades is being addressed.

Offshore locations have been selected, and there has been much discussion, reports and government thinking on this question.

There are technical problems in siting these types of structures offshore and routing undersea cables from the offshore location to the onshore national grid, together with the associated increase in cost.

But it has been done in other areas in Europe, and I have no doubt it will be achieved here in the UK.

George Sutherland,
Cherry Road, Wisbech.


AS a regular "Public Platform" reader, and from time-to-time contributor, I share entirely the views of John Stoneman (February 15).

I am a supporter of the objections of certain wind turbine developments.

I now live in the shadow of wind turbines, and I fully endorse the comments John made, and will watch out for Ian Watson's take on the environment and its inhabitants, "the wild side", of course.

After reading his writings, it confirms what I and others feel and know about the facts of wind turbines, and the importance of having enough info to make valid comment on them and the wildlife that is affected by them.

Lorraine Wheeler,
Euximoor Drove, Christchurch.


Copies proved financially taxing

REJOICE! Rejoice! There should be no Fenland Council Tax increase this year. Why? Read on:

I recently visited the Wisbech 'one stop shop', to inspect papers relating to a local plan. A file was produced and I felt it would be useful to have some copies.

I asked if I could have copies of two (A4 size) documents. Yes, I could, was the reply, but 'they don't come cheap'.

I was charged EIGHT POUNDS for the two copies. I had already enquired, somewhat 'tongue in cheek' if I could borrow the file, walk to the library, and indulge in some DIY photo-copying, at 10p a throw.

No was the reply.

No doubt, with their customary arrogance, senior FDC appointees/employees will avoid responding to this letter by setting out the scale of charges imposed.

But, if a similar scale is in general use, surely we can get by without a council tax increase?.

R.G. McDonald,
The Chase, Wisbech.


Let's have action over this park

We have all read about the glass and general untidiness in West End Park, March, caused through litter and especially broken glass.

As a daily user of these paths it is nothing to see numerous bottles broken and unbroken, littering the side of the pathways.

I thought this was supposed to be a drink free zone. Perhaps we could have a patrol of plain clothes police occasionally walking through the area, and a few offenders being dealt with.

Also could the parks authority be made aware of the condition of the main footpath near the children's play area, because after any amount of rain the pathway is completely flooded, for quite a little distance and mothers, etc, have to wade through the water.

Again, as was stated in the Citizen, more and more youths are taking over the children's area, with constant foul language, which youngsters can easily pick up.

So, please let's have more action on all of these matters.

A March walker,
name and address supplied.


We'll be healthier for smoking ban

WITH reference to the ban on smoking recently passed in Parliament.

As someone who used to smoke, but not any more, I can see both sides of the argument.

It amuses me to hear secretaries of clubs and landlords of pubs saying the ban could possibly put them out of business. I don't think any member will leave club A and go to club B or any other club – because the ban will apply to all clubs, so what's the point?

If the members enjoy a game of bingo, snooker, darts entertainment, in my opinion they will still go to the club and have the "fag" outside.

Similarly no-one is going to boycott a pub because of the no smoking policy, because all the other pubs have the same ban. Again, if anybody is desperate for a smoke, they can pop outside.

As an ex-smoker I don't object to smokers, I've still got ashtrays and any visitors who are smokers are welcome to do so.

I'm sure the environment in pubs and clubs will be much more friendly and certainly more healthy and, after a time, no-one will take notice.

Public transport, cinemas and theatres, most restaurants, all hospitals have a smoking ban, which took a bit of getting used to.

Robert Harvey,
Nene Parade, March.


Long live the bunnies...

WE would like to say how happy we are that so many kind people go out of their way to feed and protect our precious 'roundabout bunnies' at Wisbech.

In a world of hate and cruelty it's so important that people appreciate such beautiful innocent creatures.

We hope and pray that these bunnies will always be protected. They certainly have a big fan club!

What a wonderful joy it is to see such a beautiful, natural sight on our roundabout. I'm sure many, many people and children will agree with us!

Long live the roundabout bunnies!!

Thank you to all that care, you are a credit to our town and we, as animal lovers, have great respect to you all.

All at Cat haven Rescued Cat Home


Who's paying for this?

RE: "Bunnies get a boat" (Fenland Citizen, February 15).

A proposed boat, etc, for Wisbech roundabout – a 20 foot boat dominating the skyline for use as a planter with plants that last just a few months.

As ratepayers, may we ask who is going to fund the maintenance of such an article, filled with soil and exposed to all weathers, or is all this a ploy to displace a pleasurable natural sight – ie the rabbits?

If such a boat was installed, may we also ask has consideration been given to vandalism of the boat, proposed chains and anchors being thrown into the roads; young people risking their lives attempting to cross the roads to investigate; or even turning the roundabout into a play area.

And where will the money come from to pay compensation for accidents caused in the process?

Why not place, landscaped, a small number of rabbit-resistant medium-sized shrubs, and allow everyone to enjoy nature in the wild – as suggested by a recent article in your paper by another reader?

Ratepayers and animal lovers.


We are not happy bunnies

ONE moonlight night a long time ago Dad and Ma rabbit decided to leave their over-crowded family warren, in the Harecroft Road area, and look for a more suitable place to raise a family.

To their delight they found a beautiful island garden near Freedom Bridge.

Since then our family has grown and grown until now we need to move away to a more suitable location.

Four of our family have been killed on the road round the island. Three have died of eating poisonous leaves and bark.

Twenty of my brothers would like to find a mate each, so would our six sisters. No chance of that here.

We have been forced to eat all the lovely shrubs and spoil the flower beds while digging new burrows.

Someone thinks we live on carrots and cabbage, but what else is there here?

People look out of bus windows and say "poor bunnies, they shouldn't have to live in a slum like that".

We are not happy bunnies.

Brer Rabbit,
The Warren, Freedom Bridge, Wisbech.


AS a native-loving person it gives me great pleasure to see all the beautiful bunnies on our roundabout at Wisbech.

I hope that they will always be protected.

A bunny is for life and a plant just for the season.

All ages benefit from the beauty of the bunnies, especially children.

Long live the bunnies.

Debra Elliott,
Wisbech.


Insulting intelligence

RE Fitzroy Maitland (Public Platform February 15) – was it worth him writing such a letter which he obviously thought was 'funny'?

I made a great effort to bring this matter of inadequate facilities for mothers and their babies to the fore. It just goes to prove that some men can be quite chauvinistic and treat everything as a joke.

Even though I was hoping for a more positive response, at least it got mentioned in your paper. As for Mr Maitland, please don't insult my intelligence!

Disgruntled Mum,
Wisbech.