Tell motorists of junction changes

Re the works on Fullers Hill roundabout in Great Yarmouth now it’s finished.

In next door Caister on sea it is obvious it has caused a fair amount of horn blowing because motorists are still using the roundabout like it used to be from the Lawn Avenue direction, one lane turn right, then cut across to lane one for Asda.

An additional sign mounted on the roundabout might just tell motorists that it is now two lanes turn right. Is it that the nice bright, for now, lane markings are not big enough?

The same happens from Jellicoe Road turning right at the lights.

DAVE HUBBLE

Email

It’s not perfect, but where is?

I would just like to echo the sentiments expressed by Brenda Taylor, Jackie Cole and V Williamson in last week’s Mercury. We are lucky to live in a place with two beautiful beaches, relatively unpolluted air and fascinating history, not to mention one of the finest Wetherspoons known to man!

In the summer I encounter many tourists from London and other major towns and cities, and have lost count of the number of times people tell me they would love to live in a place like Yarmouth (although admittedly few of them have stood on the beach in the middle of January with a north-easterly blowing!).

I know Yarmouth isn’t perfect, but where is? Being positive costs nothing and being negative achieves nothing, so cheer up and enjoy your town

MIKE BURROUGHES

Email

Whingeing could force changes

The debate about the state of our town is clearly a case of is your glass half full or half empty. There is clearly much to celebrate in the town but there are issues that need to be addressed, having been neglected in the past.

It is no use having rose-tinted view of the town and ignoring areas that need improvement. Parts of Yarmouth are Great but it should be greater. I am not sure if some of the long serving councillors and officials are up to the job and perhaps some should retire.

There has been an investment and maintenance deficit as can be seen with the Winter Gardens, boating lake and town centre. The South Denes area has been left for years and the last remains of the air station destroyed.

The Fullers Hill and related roads and station area project should have been addressed years ago. Similarly the bus station is only now being addressed, having been raised in the Mercury in 2011. The fine heritage walks are dogged by weed-strewn streets, litter and a tour of empty buildings. The fine Tolhouse fails to attract enough visitors in spite of the attraction of the gaol.

The town centre with 15pc of shops empty is hardly a

shopping mecca these days.

There are some brilliant independent stores and whilst it is good to see some of the empty Arcade shops used again -so many do not stay long. Market Row and Broad Row are fascinating with some fine shops but again so many are empty and run down.

A vision for the centre needs to recognise the empty stores, upper floors are under used but that stores like Debenhams and Argos are reviewing their empires whilst the banks are busy closing branches across the land. The former TSB remains empty. Pubs are also at risk of closure with the Gallon Pot opening and closing at intervals.

The council is proposing £4m be spent on the market which suggests all is not well. The council plans for more shops which seems odd to me.

Ways forward may be to tackle the litter and rundown parts of town, sell and relocate the

library and gallery to the centre to capture their footfall. If Edinburgh Wool does not need its upper floors perhaps the library

or Priory School may be interested.

Could some smaller out of town shops be incentivised to relocate to the centre? Could some of King Street revert to housing? Is there scope for more people to live around the centre? Would an arcade of light from Market Gates though the Rows and back via the Arcade, possibly via the Quay be an attraction to those shops? The Arcade could be a Christmas Grotto.

There should there be more greenery about the town and on approach roads. Thousands have been spent on Trafalgar Road yet the fencing at the former Art School is a mess and a huge pot hole remains.

If one does not whinge, nothing changes and that is what has happened - even more so if councillors do not want to invest and our MP cuts our grants.

CHRIS WRIGHT

Victoria Street,

Caister

Centenary soon for Pontin’s site

I read in the Mercury that there is another plan for the Pontin’s site.

The report states they propose to have caravans etc on the site; I do not know why they cannot just do up the chalets that are there and keep it as a camp?

The camp was built in 1920 and was called Maddisons, so in two years time it will celebrate its centenary.

P TURNER

St Margarets Way,

Fleggburgh

Come and support local drama group

Once again Gorleston Theatre Company has excelled themselves, bringing to the stage of Gorleston Pavilion, Cash on Delivery.

A farcical play delivered so professionally with a fast pace and full of fun and frolics – all the ingredients to warm the chilliest of evenings in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

It was especially pleasing to me that the cast included two fine actors who honed their skills with Dusmagrik.

I don’t know what it is about plays versus musicals, but the theatre was barely half full on the first night and should have been stretched to capacity for such an entertaining evening and at such a reasonable price.

I’m very proud of my association with the company since 1955 – so come on Gorleston, with your support we can keep going strong for many a year to come and be thankful for such a lovely old theatre in which to enjoy such first class performances.

DUSTY MILLER

Links Road,

Gorleston

Congratulations to school pupils!

Last week I was privileged to enjoy the talented and inspired singing and acting of St George’s School pupils (St Peter’s Road, Great Yarmouth) who took part in a performance of the children’s opera at The Open in Norwich.

Vibrant and colourful, and musically very strong the pupils did their school and parents and our community proud.

Congratulations to the school management for deciding to compete for a place in this prestigious production.

In addition to the obvious musical benefit the pupils will grow individually as human brings and I know that every opportunity has been taken to maximise the experience throughout the whole curriculum and across the whole school.

These youngsters will never forget their experience.

A balanced education will always include time given to self expression and music.

It is proven that the arts in general help our youngsters achieve in all other areas of their development.

STUART W G KING

Email

Population increase worries ahead

With the combination of the Beacon Park industrial estate and the Bluebell Meadow residential estate how great has the population explosion got to be before we realise the repercussions it will cause the existing amenities of the surrounding areas? Shops, schools, medical centres, traffic congestion. To pre-empt would be a good phrase to use.

JACK DYE

Gonville Road,

Gorleston