Letters to the Editor

FURTHER to my two previous letters I am pleased to report that NCP reconsidered my appeal against the penalty notice issued when I parked in an area not reserved for disability parking at Ely Railway Station and have cancelled the penalty.

Their decision might just have been slightly influenced by my writing to them again to draw attention to their being in contravention of their trading terms and conditions, namely that they should apply penalties in a fair and consistent? manner.

I had parked in the same space many times before, when unable to find a disability bay and frequently observe others doing the same, often without incurring penalties.

Is it also just possible that the decision was influenced by my assurance that I would continue to consult with organisations associated with disability rights and discrimination and would not let the matter rest until I had a satisfactory outcome. By satisfactory outcome I mean a) the cancellation of the penalty and b) an increase in the number of disability bays at the railway station.

A search of websites had also uncovered interesting correspondence, in particular www.MoneySavingExpert.com where there are convincingly authoritative opinions to the effect that what NCP are doing in such cases is illegal because of that they will never prosecute and that at worst they will put the matter in the hands of debt collectors.

As I said in my last letter it is clear that their powers are very limited indeed and I for one will not be intimidated by such a threat in future.

My enquiries had also identified a formal national standard ratio for blue badge parking of 6 per cent of total spaces. I have calculated that at the railway station there are approximately 180 spaces and only four are designated for blue badge holders.

It was somewhat surprising that no other blue badge holders responded to the appeal in my last letter to help me take fight on for more disabled bays. Is it really only me that has encountered this problem? I doubt it, and indeed I have recently been able to advise another badge holder who parked in the same place as myself and had received a penalty notice.

On a more positive note I do want to commend the railway station manager on his willingness to meet me, his very constructive responses to the issues and his promised commitment to take the matter further with NCP.

Watch this space!

TONY WHATLING

Longfields

Ely.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE County Council leader Nick Clarke states that the ‘people of Cambridgeshire do not want wind farms’ and that ‘we should listen to those views’. This courageous stance is to be applauded and it will be welcomed within Cambridgeshire rural communities that have to deal with the impact of wind farms on their lives and local environment.

CCC had proposed to allow wind farms on council-owned farmland throughout Fenland, I bitterly opposed such actions. I just could not believe that our county council was prepared to sacrifice Fenland landscape and skylines for cash. Also, the people of Cambridgeshire have never been consulted about wind developments.

Council leader Clarke’s decision has left some so-called ‘greens’ furious, fellow councillor Nicola Harrison says she would support a wind turbine on Parker’s Piece in Cambridge, in doing so Nicola gives an insight into her complete lack of understanding and knowledge about the impact the industrial wind turbine has on people and the environment.

If the Whittlesey turbine were to be placed on Parker’s Piece its past history would ensure that people in the vicinity could be killed or injured by two kilo ice projectiles thrown off the turbine as was the case in Whittlesey. A 400ft turbine could potentially cast off a one ton blade in a highly popular and populated area of Cambridge, (this happened last year in Louth Lincolnshire), forget feeding the birds, turbines disrupt feeding and breeding grounds of wildlife and they also kill birds and bats

Sitting under sweeping shadows during the lunch break might be slightly nauseous for some, Cambridge city’s historic buildings and monuments would be dwarfed by a gigantic industrial machine that will draw the eye and be the focal point in Cambridge.

If some liberal minded democrats had their way this silly but dangerous proposal could become reality. Parts of rural Cambridge have already been decimated by this heavy negative (dead end technology). I wonder if Nicola or others still support a turbine on this famous and historical oasis within the city of Cambridgeshire, how ridiculous!

JOHN STONEMAN

Cambs Environmental and Wildlife Protection

Welney

I WOULD like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all our loyal customers who have supported us through the difficult planning enforcement the council had put on us at The Home in Littleport. Many of you had signed our petition to stop the council carrying out this enforcement on us. Even though it has been a really tough time we have still battled on, and many have continued to support us. We are clearly delighted with the ‘not guilty’ outcome of the court hearing and will forge ahead with all our new exciting plans for the future. The Home has always been trading within planning legislation and will continue to do so. Again, thank you all for your support.

JEMMA BRUEN

The Home

Littleport

AFTER reading the Geoff Griggs column last week we were thinking the same as Jake that our sign could indeed do with some care and repair. Unfortunately, this would require a little bit more than a lick of paint as the board needs replacing and some protection from the rain needs to be added.

There is the added consideration that we are in a conservation area and the sign has to meet the regulations. We read in the paper this week that someone has to remove their sign because they have not done this.

There have been some new businesses opening and they have new signs. Unfortunately this has shown up our sign as being in need of some attention.

Difficult decisions have to be made given that our funding has been reduced and we are trying to cut back on expenditure where we can. The important thing for us is to maintain our service.

Do thank Jake for the kind words he had to say about our service and if he could sniff out some funding that could pay for a new sign that would be wonderful.

YVONNE THRESH

Manager of East Cambridgeshire Care and Repair

Churchgate Street

Soham