Lincolnshire readers’ views on our news

Readers have 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 looking at this story.

Don’t forget, you can always get in touch by emailing news@lincsonline.co.uk

It’s also frustrating for drivers

Your correspondent, Ann Lewis on September 13, eloquently put the sheer inconvenience to pedestrians due to the closure of Brook Road railway crossing. I would like to add to that the frustration of a motorist, reliant on my car because of arthritis.

I live on West Road Oakham, which joins the Cold Overton Rd and on to the main level crossing and the Bypass Road. Every weekday morning from about 8.30 tp 9.30 the West Road is impassible with solid traffic blocking the way from the Cold Overton Road to the roundabout on Braunston Road and beyond. I have found it impossible to exit my drive on West Rd and when a kind motorist allows me to join the queue I am stuck for ages without moving. It took over half an hour to attend a dentist appointment in town only half a mile away. This route is now used by all the traffic from the West of the town, and from the River Roads estates.The rest of the day there is far more traffic then usual and frequent jams.

West Road has parking along one side of the road so the traffic is reduced to one way only most of the time causing an impossible bottle neck. I have contacted Rutland Council complaining about the issue. Needless to say they have not even bothered to reply.

Why was their permission ever given to a building firm to close a main road railway crossing for some months. I understand we can expect this trouble to continue until 10th October - If that date can be believed!

Rex Merchant

West Road, Oakham

A1 chaos can’t continue

The chaos that comes to Rutland and Stamford with every closure of the A1 cannot continue.

Improvements to the A1 are decades away, in the meantime HGVs take unsuitable routes through the country lanes without any clue as to where they are going.

Better signed diversions need to be put in place, which can be activated quickly, whilst we all wait on National Highways to dither on improving the A1.

Mark Lister

Harrier Close, Cottesmore

Street name causes confusion

I have lived in Stamford my 60 years plus, and work for Royal Mail as a postman. Personally have never actually queried about Queens Street. But after reading on my digital Mercury, my attention was drawn in as much to go and investigate.

While walking with my wife in the area I asked her to recall the names of the roads in the said area, (not telling of my interests) after recalling Alexander Street and Emily Street, Queens Street was said. I then stated my reason. At that point I pointed out the vintage Queens Street sign and then opposite the house opposite - the position in a window on Alexander Road, Queen Street.

As my wife pointed out Kings Road so Queens Street makes sense really.

Timothy Duff

Masterton Road, Stamford

Me and my parents have lived in ‘Queens Street’ from 1976 until 2004.

This has always been known as Queens Street!

I don’t have a clue why people are debating this?! It’s historic so why are people questioning?!

Too many modern people around now! !

Tom, Janet and Roger Smith

Stamford

Traffic officers not the solution

On reading your article, albeit a week late, I don’t think that traffic officers are needed here, just well placed road signs. Surely there aren’t that many drivers who block this bridge? (I’ve seen more lorries wedged than blockages by northbound vehicles).However, why I’m really contacting you is the fact that the permanent traffic lights, with right turn filter, all need setting correctly. There have been numerous instances that• the filter doesn’t come on at all• is only on for an incredibly short amount of time (enough for maybe 2 quick cars to get through)• clearer road markings and maybe a sign to say a maximum of three cars should wait in the right turn intersection of the lights and no more.

Name and address supplied

Managers lack in compassion

The headline news this morning was the effect of alcohol, smoking and obesity on the nation’s physical health. Can we also highlight the effect of toxicity in the workplace on mental health? Increasingly, the working environment is becoming almost unbearable due to the attitudes of management towards their workers. Gone are the days when employees could turn to their immediate manager and/or personnel when they were feeling unwell. Nowadays managers have become completely lacking in compassion and often adopt bullying tactics instead; their main concern is how best to save money whatever the cost to those working under them. Workloads are increased, and staff no longer replaced when they leave. Furthermore, employees no longer have a voice at all. Nowadays, increased time spent at work, leaves little time for lunch breaks or even toilet breaks. Employees are treated with at worst contempt and at best a ‘mañana’ attitude when it comes to listening to or even dealing with staff issues. With the name change from personnel to human resources, came a change in attitude too – a less caring one! For those nearing the end of their career the result is severe depression as they become physically and mentally unable to cope with the demands put upon them. They are rarely praised, frequently criticised. Gone are the days of a gold watch and a formal vote of gratitude for the years served. A bottle of plonk, if you’re lucky and a sigh of ‘good riddance,’ is the more likely scenario. It would appear that managers no longer value the expertise of their long-serving staff. If those in charge had any nous, these well-qualified and experienced older staff could become mentors for the up-and-coming novices in the workplace… but no! They are treated like idiots and made to feel worthless. What are we becoming as a nation when we no longer set any store by respecting the ‘oldies’ and instead treat them like detritus to be discarded as soon as possible?

Chrissie Thomas

GranthamGood news for the Playhouse

At last a sensible planned future for an important historic building - the Playhouse in Skegness. Everyone's a winner.

Nice to keep the original name, too.

Name and address supplied