RE 'Parents' parking is unbelievable' (Letters, February 19). I wholly support Mrs T Read's comments. I live in the cul-de-sac on Moorland Way immediately adjacent to the Moorlands School and since the recent amalgamation of this school with the former Breydon Infants school, I find I am often unable to leave or gain access to my house in my car until the drivers move off because the cul-de-sac is totally blocked by inconsiderate parking at school delivery and collection times.

RE 'Parents' parking is unbelievable' (Letters, February 19). I wholly support Mrs T Read's comments. I live in the cul-de-sac on Moorland Way immediately adjacent to the Moorlands School and since the recent amalgamation of this school with the former Breydon Infants school, I find I am often unable to leave or gain access to my house in my car until the drivers move off because the cul-de-sac is totally blocked by inconsiderate parking at school delivery and collection times. Moreover, visitors to my house have had to wait elsewhere until this congestion is cleared. If an emergency were to occur, access to my house would be impossible for emergency vehicles during these, albeit short, but daily periods. I agree, an accident waiting to happen. Drivers even use my property for turning their vehicles around and in the process have knocked down my bushes in an attempt to squeeze their vehicles in rather than park a short distance away! Don't they have any legs to use these days? What a suggestion! I read with interest an article in your sister paper on February 6 under the heading “'Park and stride' … to cut school-gate congestion” in similar circumstances in Long Stratton and district. How successful has this idea been? I have given up asking drivers to kindly move as I don't want to suffer more abuse! But this cannot be right, can it?

Mrs DIANA BROWN

Moorland Way

Belton

THERE were 50 written objections and over 600 signatures objecting to the kiosk on Gorleston seafront and Gorleston councillors had obviously done their homework and were of the same opinion as residents when bit by bit they unraveled the case put by planning and conservation officers in support of the planning application. It was an evening of triumph for common sense when Gorleston residents and councillors stood together to keep our town the way we like it. Well done to all, including chairman Charles Reynolds. Hopefully this is a new sign that we can now all work together for the benefit of our town and that this blot on the landscape can now be leveled and disposed of which is what we now must all petition for. It was distressing to read in Philip Gunn's letter that this situation need never have arisen and we could already have had a another seated shelter where the misplaced building still stands.

There is a meeting of the Gorleston Area Scrutiny Group on Wednesday at 6pm, Cherry Road Communal Room, Cherry Road, Gorleston. This is your chance to question Gorleston councillors on things of a concern to you in your town. There have already been some important questions tabled for councillors to debate and answer. Because the first meeting of this group was poorly advertised there were very few residents present so now is the chance to show you care about Gorleston and become a part of this important meeting to listen to what your representatives have to say. It will probably be the only chance you have to form your opinions before the May elections.

DENNIS DURRANT

Brett Avenue

Gorleston

I READ Philip Gunn's letter in the Mercury (February 19) with utter amazement. Here we have someone who is prepared to put his money where his mouth is and wants to sort out the lifeguard hut problem on Gorleston seafront and make it a much better and a more amenable situation, suitable of the area. I'm sure the many visitors to the area would wish to see such a change take place. We don't need more ice-cream or chips, as we are well catered for along the front. Our councillors fill me with absolute disgust. With the attitudes they show towards the local electorate, it's a wonder they ever get re-elected. The Gorleston councillors seem to go along with everything that is decided in Great Yarmouth town hall instead of listening to local people and asking for their opinions. It reminds you of the Blair/Bush situation years ago when Bush snapped his fingers and Blair went running. Now that the original planning application has been turned down, I think Mr Gunn should try again. I would back him.

G CASS

Station Road South

Belton

NOW that the planning application relating to the former First Aid kiosk on Gorleston front has been refused may I strongly suggest that it is demolished. The kiosk is alien to the nature of the conservation area, a small square box with a flat roof in an Edwardian seaside conservation area. To open up that space would greatly enhance the access for disabled and pedestrians from the shops and car parking on to the lower promenade and beach as well as providing nice sea views from the shops and car parking. It really is time to recognise that it no longer serves a purpose and should go.

LES COCKRILL

Lowestoft Road

Gorleston

I SEE in last week's Mercury the borough council need to make a �20,000 saving and are proposing to make a charge for trying to eradicate the infestation of mice and rats at people's homes. I have a better idea, by getting rid of the position of mayor the renumeration will cover 50pc of the money they wish to save. Furthermore with a 20pc cut in salaries for the higher earners employed by the Town Hall the outstanding shortfall of �9,133 would soon be covered. By the council having a more stringent look at their outlay I think they could find even more savings they could find without increasing the Council Tax perhaps even reducing this burden on the borough's residents

GLENDA FERRIDGE

Olive Road

Great Yarmouth

GORDON Brown's visit to Great Yarmouth College last Monday was, of course, a political move, in the hope that he would obtain a few younger voters. I am not so sure that it was successful. Personally I feel aggrieved that he, who had helped to destroy our education system, should unveil a plaque - not “on the playing fields of Eton” but on a new building on the original playing field of the former Edward Worlledge Central School - that marvellous school with its aims and success of true education. The success of Yarmouth College cannot be attributed to this government but to the efforts of its principal, Mr Robin Parkinson, and to the college's governors.

CECILIA EBBAGE

Lovewell Road

Gorleston

AS a student at Great Yarmouth College, I am incensed by the attitude of Matthew Smith with his comment about the Prime Minister's visit to the college was not meeting 'real people'. Clearly the thousands of students and many tutors at the college are not real people in his eyes.

ELLIOT GOLDING

Coronation Terrace,

Great Yarmouth

I WOULD like to thank the thousands of people who have already given their support to our campaign to improve Great Yarmouth train station. Please do continue to let us know your views as every bit of support strengthens our position to demand improvements. We have already had success thanks to support across the area. We have already met with Network Rail and National Express, who both admit there is work to be done to improve the appearance of our station. They have agreed to undertake some remedial work in time for the summer season. Immediate improvements to the station are welcome but this should only be the start. Some people have asked why bother now when the rail franchise is ending. We have the best opportunity now to force the Department of Transport to include redevelopment of the station as part of any new contract awarded. The winner of that contract would have a legal duty to make improvements. We could then have a bright welcoming station for commuters, other local residents and visitors to the town. That is why this campaign is so important. We will continue to keep up the pressure on the rail companies to make sure we get the first-class station our town so desperately needs.

BRANDON LEWIS

CAN anyone in their right mind think of any possible reason why the turn left traffic lights at the junction of Yarmouth Way and South Quay in Great Yarmouth turn from red to green 16 seconds after the turn right lights change? All the traffic along the Quay from north and south is stopped before the first of the Yarmouth Way lights turn green so there would apear to be no reason whatsoever to justify the delay on the turn left signals. The delay means that on some occasions no more than three vehicles can turn left onto the Quay as all the light turn red again at the same time. I have copied this e-mail to Norfolk County Council and Yarmouth Borough Council so just maybe someone will look into the problem.

JOHN LAITY

Croft Road,

Caister-on-Sea

HAVING read last week's letters pages I was amazed there was no mention of the Momentum Dance Show which was on for one night only at the Britannia Pier, a thoroughly enjoyable dance show performed by 22 local schools and clubs. All the children seemed to enjoy performing in front of a packed audience with seemingly no fear at all and I would like to thank all the teachers and/or classroom assistants who gave up their time to choreograph their respective school dance troops which lead to a great show. It would be unfair to pick a best performance of the night, but for me, the pupils from the John Grant School were absolutely brilliant and received the biggest cheer of the night. I would like to finish with a personal thank you to Charlene Westgate from Herman Primary for her time and effort that she put in and for staying an extra 45 minutes on one of the practice nights.

STUART PEARCE

Email

ALREADY there are indications that the proposed visit of HMS Dauntless will only be enjoyed by the favoured few. I only hope that there will be enough water under her bottom to keep her afloat. Telescopes at the ready!

Miss R L FARMER

Marine Parade

Gorleston

I WRITE with reference to a letter published on February 19, written by Mr B Frosdick of Halvergate, entitled 'My thanks to this Mercy Crew'. I was more than somewhat surprised to read the story and suddenly realised it was probably me he was talking about unless unfortunately there was another incident in the same place that day. It was slippery enough so there might have been! One second I was walking and the next on the pavement in a fair bit of pain. I had in fact broken and dislocated my ankle which did smart a little. I cannot thank all concerned enough for the help that was given to me that day as I had little recollection of the exact assistance I did get due to the amount of discomfort I was in. I would like to thank all those that helped as the road and the pavement were covered in ice and all those attending me put themselves in risk of doing the same thing. I even remember the trolley slipping down the ice and the people hanging onto it slipping with it as well. I would imagine the cost of my injury to the NHS will be far and away more than the cost of gritting the whole road and pavement so perhaps the Council will take note. Thank you Mr B Frosdick for your help and for highlighting this failing of local services.

PENNY CARPENTER

Great Yarmouth

IS Labour councillor Patrick Hacon living in the same town and using the same Great Yarmouth station as the rest of us who use it every day. It is a great railway line that much is correct until you get under Vauxhall Bridge where it deteriorates totally. The whole station looks sad and run down, a great welcome home at the end of each day! So, Mr Hacon, shame on you.

VIKKI SNEDKER

Martham Road

Hemsby

A BEACHSIDE caf� on the Lower Parade at Gorleston? There wasn't one! So, it was inevitable that an application would be made for one. Yes, we have shops, cafes and amusements accessible from the beach via a busy car park, where children cannot wander unattended. Now, before other applications are made for further establishments beachside, would it be a good idea if we made our existing buildings more customer-friendly by pedestrianising that area, or even create a piazza, so that the cafes and shops could push their business? How nice to have a cuppa on the promenade - outside. Perhaps more tables and chairs, away from car fumes and reversing vehicles? Parking spaces would be lost, but it would increase the feel-good factor. Or will I be the one who upsets the motorist?

J DYE

Gonville Road

Gorleston

NOW that the planning application relating to the former First Aid kiosk on Gorleston front has been refused may I strongly suggest that it is demolished. The kiosk is alien to the nature of the conservation area, a small square box with a flat roof in an Edwardian seaside conservation area. To open up that space would greatly enhance the access for disabled and pedestrians from the shops and car parking on to the lower promenade and beach as well as providing nice sea views from the shops and car parking. It really is time to recognise that it no longer serves a purpose and should go.

LES COCKRILL

Lowestoft Road

Gorleston

I SEE in last week's Mercury the borough council need to make a �20,000 saving and are proposing to make a charge for trying to eradicate the infestation of mice and rats at people's homes. I have a better idea, by getting rid of the position of mayor the renumeration will cover 50pc of the money they wish to save. Furthermore with a 20pc cut in salaries for the higher earners employed by the Town Hall the outstanding shortfall of �9,133 would soon be covered. By the council having a more stringent look at their outlay I think they could find even more savings they could find without increasing the Council Tax perhaps even reducing this burden on the borough's residents

GLENDA FERRIDGE

Olive Road

Great Yarmouth

GORDON Brown's visit to Great Yarmouth College last Monday was, of course, a political move, in the hope that he would obtain a few younger voters. I am not so sure that it was successful. Personally I feel aggrieved that he, who had helped to destroy our education system, should unveil a plaque - not “on the playing fields of Eton” but on a new building on the original playing field of the former Edward Worlledge Central School - that marvellous school with its aims and success of true education. The success of Yarmouth College cannot be attributed to this government but to the efforts of its principal, Mr Robin Parkinson, and to the college's governors.

CECILIA EBBAGE

Lovewell Road

Gorleston

I UNDERSTAND the reason for installing new lamp post in the borough is that they are cheaper to run. Why bother when they intend to turn them off at night. Why couldn't the existing post have been adapted to fit the new lights, surely this would be a cheaper alternative? Also, I would have thought that during installation of the new posts some consideration would have been given to the symmetry; some are on the edge of the pavement, some adjacent to property boundaries and some in between. What a good opportunity to have squared them up.

H G Perry

Gorleston

CHARLES Reynolds and his planning committee don't know their planning. I could do a better job than them. I would incorporate the jetty with the redevelopment and make full use of the jetty by building a large platform at the end for entertainment and a landing for pleasure boats. The jetty is history. Lord Nelson would turn in his grave if this was destroyed. This council has not done a very good job on the seafront yet, with the useless TV screens and the useless cannon lights also moving the horse and carriage to the roadside. They should have left them where they were and built a canopy over the top. They widen the pavement for restaurants to put their tables and chairs on, public eating near car fumes, what about health and safety? This council could not plan a tea party.

E A EGGLETON

Ashwood Close,

Caister

I READ with interest the letter in Friday's edition of The Mercury about an elderly gentleman's experience of travelling from Northgate Hospital. Centre 81 runs a Door-to-Door service for individuals who have a disability and/or are frail due to age related conditions. The service operates Mondays to Fridays inclusive from 9am to 4.30pm.

We are able to take our passengers to the shops, meet friends and to a variety of appointments, but usually not hospital appointments as it is difficult to predict times for pick up. This means that other passengers are delayed and the day's schedule is disrupted. All individuals who are using the service need to be registered with Door-to-Door and pay a joining fee of �5 and thereafter an annual membership of �3. All journeys have to be booked the day before travelling in order that we meet legislative requirements. There is a cost for all journeys and currently we are unable to accept concessionary bus passes. Should anyone wish to find out, contact us on 01493 332253.

DIANA STAINES

Chief Executive Officer

Centre 81