Letters

A recent article in a local paper, well written by student journalist George Barnett, has made me think about the poor relationship many young people seem to have with the political process. I had already written, quite recently, to the head of the Grammar School, to ask if he would consider hosting some sort of electoral event, from a full ...

With regard to the article in last week’s Voice about “Pressing for better road Infrastructure”, while I agree that the A16 (Spalding to Peterborough) should have been built as a dual-carriageway, it is single carriageway so we have to put up with it. What is needed first and foremost is to improve the driving standard of the motorists who use ...

As the chair of SHDC Licensing Committee I have read with interest the lead article in last week’s Spalding Voice welcoming the offer of support from John Hayes MP with the current legislation of licensing premises for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises. Generally known as off licences. As such specialist off licences have all but disappeared from ...

Yet another application to open an Eastern European food shop but really a licence to sell alcohol. I am very disappointed by the town centre manager’s non-committal response when asked about the number of similar shops. It’s not the number of food shops that is the problem but the growing number of outlets for the sale of alcohol. Spalding is ...

Just a note copying you in to my message to South Holland District Council. Dear SHDC, I wonder if I might be permitted to make a suggestion regarding the collection of recycling waste and landfill waste? Currently, someone from the collection team inspects the green sacks, and if anything obvious (such as polythene packaging) is in the sack, it receives ...

I had conflicting thoughts when I read the article “Homes would be ‘slum’ and ‘not fit for Tilbury’”. Surprise, consternation and something just approaching pride that Tilbury was such a household name, wait a minute.. it’s known for slum housing and general deprivation, not so much pride then. I was born in Tilbury in the early 50s, an altogether different ...

Crikey, how many more European shops is Spalding going to have? Now The Station Gates is being turned into one, with one already next door. These shops are opening every week. Just along Winsover Road and Station Street their are six open and proposed that I can think of. Plus many others in and around town, all have alcohol licences ...

After reading about the refusal for building much needed homes in Little London, Spalding, (The Voice, Feb 19) I am left in wonder. Wonder at how councillors can refuse when experienced planning officers see that the homes are quite appropriate for the area. How can the councillors say it will become a slum? That is pure supposition, as is the ...

Taking into account that I am the closest resident to the railway track in Spalding I can only assume that the contents of D Taylor-Corbett’s letter are nothing but an elaboration of the facts. The front of my residence is 6ft away from passing trains and there is hardly any vibration and also the sound of passing trains in the ...

A few notes for Gary Porter in response to his recent letter “No surprises with a vote for Tories”. I was quite surprised when the Tories at county announced the withdrawal of library funding immediately after the 2013 election. What will they spring on us this time? Your local UKIP branch policy on immigration in no way differs from that ...

St Barnabas Hospice has been administering excellent pallative care for over 30 years throughout Lincolnshire It funds the in-patient unit at Nettleham Road, Lincoln, the many Hospice at Home nurses for people who wish to spend their final days at home and recently opened a six-bed in-patient unit in Grantham Hospital, saving family and friends a 60-mile round trip to ...

It comes as no surprise that many local folk are rightly worried by UKIP’s stance on immigration, which seems to extend beyond the rational and might even be considered by some to border on racist. Making much publicised attempts (Spalding Voice, Feb 12) to have their election campaign here in South Holland led by immigrants is hypocrisy of the worst ...

I totally agree with the concerns of Coun Angela Newton regarding a new off-licence in Spalding. Why were her concerns refused to be stated to the panel by the chairman? Has the chairman given his explanation for this refusal and should not the public also be given an explanation? It is also a pity that Coun Graham Dark had to ...

It’s very easy to see that district council elections are around the corner. If one is in any doubt just read, V Mail in the Voice, that is if you don’t drop off. The near four column letter from Coun Newton on off-licences in Spalding. To be frank one column would have had more interest and have direction, was she ...

I don’t think Nigel Chapman got it quite right by choosing to mention the number of extra trains that could be diverted through Spalding. Sheila Taylor, by the remarks in her letter, has obviously taken it that there would be 100+ trains, when my informed sources tell me there will be only 58 additional main line expresses diverted this way ...

As we prepare for local and the general election in May, I note the report from the UK’s spending watchdog, the National Audit Office, has warned that more than half of councils are at risk of financial failure within the next five years. While the Local Government Association has warned that, by 2020, local authorities will only have enough money ...

I have just driven from Peterborough to Spalding on the new road at peak time. There were no hold-ups and the traffic moved continuously at 50 to 60mph. I do understand that dualling the road would enable traffic to flow much more easily but is it necessary or achievable? The reasons put forward are predominantly commercial around improved journey times ...

In response to Councillor Angela Newton’s letter (Feb 12) regarding the new off-licence at 2 Bourne Road, I totally endorse and support everything she wrote. I also lodged an objection to the application and attended the licensing hearing. I walk past the premises twice a day and regularly use the Carrington Road and Hawthorn Bank junctions onto the A151. I ...

We did not want or need Nisa on such a busy junction. Five years on it’s still an eyesore and traffic has doubled in that time. Now we are landed with another store next door. Both have been granted alcohol licenses. We have two very good shops in this area both selling alcohol and Aldi within walking distance. This other ...

As I write, electioneering is gathering pace, soon the councillors will be dropping their leaflets through the letterbox, urging everyone to elect them again for a further four-year period. That being the case, it is high time that Joe Public is made aware of the real truth regarding our councillors. All statements listed below relate to the financial year 2013/14 ...