Stamford, Spalding, Grantham and Rutland letter writers share their views with LincsOnline

Readers have once again had plenty to say on what’s in the news.

Here we share some of the letters, emails and comments that have come in over the week, including this cartoon from John Elson on this story.

Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk

Parking at the hospital was a problem

I have just come back from the Johnson hospital and was struck as ever by the overflowing car park (in which the parking spaces are a bit tight for the larger cars that people increasingly drive nowadays).

A solution to the problem is already available, namely our bus services. I prefer to use the bus, not least because I don't enjoy searching for a parking space.

I wonder how many people would take the bus if they realised how many buses serve the hospital, going to various places in town, as well as Boston and Peterborough and Springfields.

I wonder how many people are unaware of the 'Hail and Ride' service. Yes, even if there isn't an official bus stop, the driver will pick you up or set you down at any safe location. I have tried it, and it works.

The only disappointing thing is that Lincolnshire County Council does so little to advertise the fact!

The bus stop is closer to the hospital entrance than the car park is, and there is a full departure timetable not only in the bus shelter itself but also at the hospital reception desk, and a recent addition is an electronic departure board at the hospital entrance doors.

As I have asked before, what is not to like about our buses? People do complain, but do these complainers actually use buses?

David Jones

Spalding

Thank you for supporting our sale

May we give a huge 'thank you 'to everyone who supported our jigsaw sale in aid of Oakham in Bloom's daffodil trail.

Thanks are extended to those who donated jigsaws, visited our garden, gave donations, supplied cardboard, and to those who gave their time to help in so many ways.

We would like to say a special 'thank you' to Gates Garden Centre for supporting the event.

Over £300 was raised, which will buy even more daffodil bulbs to be planted by the volunteers during the autumn.

We had many visitors from France, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire Yorkshire, Wales and Rutland

Many took the leaflets which promoted the Town and County.

Thank you once again.

Joyce and Bob Lucas

Oakham

What do I think of the idea of bollards? Not a lot

I assume we are talking four bollards in Stamford but at what cost? The traffic restrictions are clearly displayed on signs and have been since the precinct replaced the High Street more than 50 years ago. These regulations were enforced by traffic wardens (do they still exist?) and police foot patrols (extinct) and were observed by street traders and retail deliveries with not a lot of problem

So why can't the original system be enforced? So maybe bollards should be replaced by an alternative eight letter word!

B J Hansford

Launde Gardens, Stamford

I am really concerned about what restrictions will be placed on the High Street in Stamford. With reference to the article in the Mercury on bollards, no mention is made of how emergency vehicles - ambulance, fire engines , police - can enter the High Street without any delay as any time waiting for bollards to rise would mean the death of someone having a heart attack and needing instant medical help .I would like to know that emergency vehicles have no delays entering the High Street at any time.

Name and address supplied

‘You ain’t seen nothing yet’

I read with interest your article on the Uffington Road roadworks in Stamford and have a great deal of sympathy with the businesses on that stretch of the A1175.

However, my overwhelming thought was, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

That same cable installation to improve the electrical network, approaches Tallington from two directions. From the East, it goes under the East Coast Main Line, crosses Michael Thurlby’s fields and then down Mill Lane to the main road. From the Uffington direction it stops just short of the village near the ‘Strawberry’ layby. The gap between two cable ends is about half a mile.

Imagine, if you will, the combination of traffic light-controlled roadworks to join the cable ends and the though traffic to and from the railway crossing, especially at peak times. An interesting scenario!

David Tilson

Stamford

Our town council has no authority

I now have it confirmed that our town council cannot make any decisions on planning applications. This means that persons who do not live in Grantham can make decisions relating to developments in Grantham. Our town has a population of about 45,000 people and we deserve better. In true terms our town council has no more authority than a parish council, in fact, we really should call the town council, the parish council of Grantham.Furthermore, if you wish to speak your councillor the information is buried in the SKDC website under ‘parish councils’. Councillors are listed, but no contact details, or even the wards they are supposed to represent. We now have 21 councillors who have no more authority than the 16 Charter Trustees they replaced.

Mike Cook

Grantham

Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk