shallower since the new port owners sold the port dredger. The demise of the pierheads will exacerbate this silting. The pier car park resurfacing is not the issue; it being so trivial compared to the ills that have befallen Yarmouth under this inept, decision to “gift away” our livelihood and inheritance.
shallower since the new port owners sold the port dredger. The demise of the pierheads will exacerbate this silting. The pier car park resurfacing is not the issue; it being so trivial compared to the ills that have befallen Yarmouth under this inept, decision to “gift away” our livelihood and inheritance. It would appear to be part of a grand master plan to destroy a once vibrant port, the heart of the town, such that the riverside quays can be flattened and built over with twee houses and apartments for rich incomers as weekend or holiday homes.
It would seem that, wanted or not, a new casino will be built next to Nelson's Monument and one can see the Esplanade and South Denes all being devoted to the holiday trade and the outer harbour being used as a yacht and power boat marina. One wouldn't have to dig too deeply to find many, with vested interests, involved in the shadows.
I understand a national newspaper is taking an interest and investigating, one hopes it will expose this whole debacle.
ROGER POLL
I RECENTLY came across an amusing newspaper cutting of a football match played between Great Yarmouth Town Reserves vs. Norman Old Boys, a second round replay in the East Anglian League Cup in January 1954. Norman Old Boys, who had previously conceded ground advantage, had a series of adventures before reaching Wellesley Road nearly an hour after the advertised kick off. Their coach broke down in Norwich and after considerable delay they obtained a second coach, which also broke down a few miles from Yarmouth. A third coach was sent from Yarmouth to pick them up. The teams agreed to play reduced time with no interval, but fog and bad light finally forced the abandonment, with the score at 2-2. Yarmouth Reserves scored through Staff and Love.
MALCOLM METCALF
Magdalen Way
Gorleston
ALTHOUGH I have lived locally since 1944, I cannot recall such sustained bitterness as the Outer Harbour has aroused. Those responsible should realise it will take a very long time for it to go away - in fact I wouldn't be surprised if it rumbled on for another generation.
Miss R L FARMER
Marine Parade
Gorleston
I RECALL with great sadness the death of both the young people killed in Caister by buses recently brought to our attention again in last week's Mercury. Both families have my deepest sympathy for their tragic losses.
The problem during my time was a talking point for the Caister on Sea Parish Council for years and still is a constant cause of frustration for them. The problem is, people want buses to drop them off directly outside their door and to be picked up likewise.
The volume of passengers using the route merits a double decker bus but the truth of the matter is that the Prince of Wales Road is not fit for purpose for a double decker bus route. A smaller bus would not be a viable proposition for a bus company who after all have to make a profit, to stay in business, to be able to provide a service!
People are going to have to walk to the main road where a safe transition of a double decker can be made. Even then, doing so is no guarantee of getting on as I have been left standing on more than one occasion at the bottom of the Prince of Wales Road.
MP Tony Wright has asked for the views of the public on the matter. Here are mine Tony! I have long said blame should not be directed at the bus companies who are trying to provide a service, but at the planning department which allowed inadequate roads to be built. They have allowed the building of as many of houses on land with roads not fit for purpose to service them.
My solution; sack the planners and confine the bus route to the main roads for the sake of someone else's child.
I am amazed at how some of the double deckers manage to get by some of the cars parked on that road but saying that I have found the service very good...when I have been able to get on that is.
DAVID MORRICE
Villarome
West Caister
I AGREE with Adrian Gunson, the Chairman of the A47 Alliance, on the real urgency to get the land deals sorted so that work
can begin immediately on removing the dangerous roadside ditches. I am still of the opinion that all land between the highway (Acle Straight) and the Acle-Yarmouth rail-line should be compulsorily purchased to create a “Transport Corridor” to accommodate both
the much-needed dualling of the A47 and any rail improvements required for the future.
Any work conducted in that narrow strip of land would have no measurable detrimental effect on the Broadland landscape/habitat.
MICK CASTLE
Leader of the Great Yarmouth Borough Council Labour Group
STONEWALLING public and communities is a tried and tested strategy for organisations bereft of moral standing, somewhat similar to a sailor waiting out the storm to blow over.
It is plain that EastPort have no intention to engage on community issues that their business has affected. Understandable, why should they? After all they have probably followed due processes and have secured the terms and conditions from many of the bit players in the public purse, as well as grants and other assurances.
Whilst many organisations actually pursue and enable their community relationship standing, what is the actual cost of a few feet of tarmac on Gorleston Pier?
As a public relations gaffe, the value of reputation seems to count for nothing. The Achilles heel in this partnership will be the public servants. I, for one, will actively seek to establish any such politician knocking on my door, the part they played and vote accordingly with my feet.
Still awaiting a reply from my MP as even an acknowledgement of an enquiry from a constituent , sent at the beginning of September. For that, you too Tony Wright will be judged at the ballot box.
STEVE TAYLOR
Gorleston
I AM writing about the Royal Mail as I had a parcel delivered on September 29 but I still have not got it. They told me it was at the sorting office and I went there and a man told me he would send it the next day. I still have not got it. I am 73 years old and hope The Mercury can do something about this.
Mrs PATRICIA ELLIS
University Crescent,
Gorleston
I HAVE spent a lot of time in Germany since the end of July and like to keep up with the local news here in Great Yarmouth. I read with dismay about cyclists and walkers sharing the pavement and the comment on it being an accident waiting to happen.
It is common in Germany for a pavement to be shared by a pedestrian and a cyclist and it works; the reason it works is because cyclists are given priority and because of this everyone bikes everywhere. Even mothers with young babies use cycles and dog owners with their pets in baskets.
It took me a while to get used to walking along the pavement and hearing the ring of a cycle bell and having to move over. But it is just common sense that prevents an accident.
I now bike everywhere in Germany and never use my car at all. It is also very fashionable to bike everywhere, whereas in the UK teenagers think it is very uncool.
We need to change our mindset in this country and realise the way forward is to have cyclepaths everywhere. I am fitter and slimmer when in Germany but as soon as I come back here I jump back in the car as there are not enough cycle paths to get me to my destinations. Even when I went to Italy everyone was on bikes ,so come on Yarmouth, less negativity and more common sense.
LISA COLMAN
Germany/England
YET again Hemsby and Ormesby are having to join the “should we/ shouldn't we” debate with regards to the installation of four 105m high turbines between the two villages. One relevant fact for England's turbine culture is they would only ever be able to supply 20pc of electricity by 2020. We would still need power stations to top up unless we buy from abroad which has its own connotations.
Open spaces are very important to most residents as Hemsby itself is fast becoming a concrete jungle as local landowners capitalise on their assets. The water meadow is soon to be developed, the concrete land mass of stable field sprawls over a previous field and Pontins may soon be built on. To industrialise our skyscape is a build too far. These constant applications by landowners/agents fuelled by greed should be seen for what they are - certainly not as custodians of our semi rural setting.
The turbines at Collis Lane and at Martham can be seen on the southerly approach roads and incorporates the Scroby Sands turbines from the west and north, why would we want more striding across the landscape? The fact they need to turn for ten years to offset the carbon in manufacturer and installation renders them obsolete in my view. The possible movement of contaminated soil from much earlier landfill at the chalk pit and railway cutting is also a hazard alongside the 70 cement lorries required to backfill one base.
The first, thick A4 size SLP report also states: “The wind turbines would impact on the immediate vicinity but would have little effect on surrounding countryside.” More consideration to local residents and less on profit windfalls to the few would be appreciated.
MRS ELLIS
Martham Road
Hemsby
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here