Why are tax payers being forced to pay?
I think I must be mellowing in my old age, having found myself agreeing with some of John Dickie’s opinions. This was confirmed by his excellent column (C&E, February 8) on the Greyfriars fiasco and reinforced by a revealing letter from Councillor Tony Clarke. These are two people who were at the very heart and beginnings of the negotiations and if they are not convinced of the viability of this harebrained scheme, why should the rest of us be in favour? Even further, I note Matt Hammon (NCC contractor) has stated “there is no guarantee the shopping centre will be developed once the (new) bus station is built”!
I am encouraged by the amazing number of letters wishing to retain Greyfriars, criticising the new bus interchange, even questioning the need for more shops. Recently Mary Portas, Sainsbury’s Mr King and other specialists have commented on the change in shopping habits from high street to online and retail parks with some claiming the high street is in terminal decline. If this is indeed an irreversible trend, can we believe L&G will spend millions to provide more empty shops? Unless of course the unfortunate tax payer is providing the funding. Perhaps now is the time for a vigorous feasibility study.
A correspondent, Max Lang, comments on the late onset of opposition to this scheme. It is my belief this is due to lack of firm consistent information, the inordinate length of time spent talking with little sign of progress, just two days’ consultation and absence of any replies to questions.
Mr Clarke’s letter implied L&G now owns the bus station and surrounding lands (apparently bought very cheaply). If this is so, why is the tax payer funding the demolition, replacement, superstructure and, according to Mr Church, compensation for loss of trade? All this gives rise to a nightmare scenario of a flattened building site, an inadequate replacement bus station with L&G deciding not to go ahead or postpone the extension.
Is it not time to implement Mr Clarke’s suggestion to examine the deal line by line in an open scrutiny committee? Perhaps some brave souls could call for a judicial review, or have we already joined the lemmings leaping over the cliff?
Derek Smart,
The Green, Kingsthorpe, Northampton.
An opportunity to be recognised
It was interesting to read of Paul Varnsverry’s campaign to save two gasometers in Northampton. As well as the Alliance Building in Dublin he refers to, landmark buildings are being created out of gasometers in the outstanding Kings’ Cross redevelopment in London.
The main railway line has bypassed us, we rejected Ikea and missed out on John Lewis (both of which bring people flocking to Milton Keynes every day). It would be good for the town not to lose a further opportunity to become recognised for something distinctive and excellent . . . something that will attract visitors and investment, which is the best way to secure the future prosperity of Northampton.
Robert Barnes,
Mears Ashby.
The bus drivers will know best
THERE have been many opinions formed regarding the bus station saga. In the letter in the Chronicle & Echo on January 20 Greyfriars just needs painting there were a few more.
The article states the new station will work well. What may work well on paper is just theory but it is a different thing when that theory is put into practice.
Some bus drivers have stated the new bus station will not work, surely the bus drivers would be in a better position to know what would or would not work than councillors who think it will work because it says so on paper?
The article states the most serious criticisms of the Greyfriars bus station is that it is dangerous because of two people being hit by buses inside the bus station. If I recall correctly these two people were in a place they were not supposed to be.
Councillor Tim Hadland states the new bus station will be bright and airy, so were the days before the Greyfriars bus station. Councillor Andre Gonzalez de Savage states Greyfriars bus station is in a decrepit state. Who is at fault for letting it get into such a state as no proper maintenance has been carried out for many years except for the escalator? The thousands of pounds it is going to cost to build a sub-standard bus station could be better spent in bringing Greyfriars bus station up to date.
Mr B M Whitworth,
Clarence Avenue, Queens Park, Northampton.
Listen to public views on station
IT is pretty obvious the majority of your correspondents believe that to demolish the perfectly serviceable and warm (albeit ugly) bus station, and replace it with a vastly inferior service exposed to the elements, is a colossal waste of money.
It would also by no means guarantee we would get a flashy new and bigger shopping mall. And from where would the increased number of retailers come?
Also, what guarantee do we have this new bus collection point will be loved and admired for its architectural beauty in 20 years’ time?
Being the voice of the people, can I implore you, the Chronicle, to organise a petition that we who are against this nonsense can sign and give this unlistening council something of which they have to take notice?
Would this unlistening council also please note they were not voted in last time . . . it was the unlistening Lib Dems who were voted out! Let’s show them at the next election if they continue to ignore us.
David V Hill-Towers,
Litchborough Road, Bugbrooke.
MPs should be backing public
I am writing to convey my disgust at your story about Northampton’s MPs backing plans to demolish the bus station.
First of all, the opinion they express is purely a personal one, and as such should not have been given a near-full page spread.
Also, as both these MPs were voted in by the Northamptonshire public (including myself) surely they should be backing the public that did so, and who are campaigning for the station to stay, or are these two under a different mandate to what is expected of our MPs?
Most people of Northampton agree the station is not the best looking, but for what it is going to cost to replace it, a lot could be done to improve it.
It is obvious these two MPs don’t spend much time travelling by public transport, otherwise they would not be backing such a ridiculous replacement scheme.
I would also like to know where in this time of austerity, are all the people going to come from to shop in the new shopping centre that will be built in its place, and how will they get around with a reduced bus service and smaller station?
A final message to our two MPs, keep your “ugly” comments to yourself.
A J Deakins,
Springer Straight, Northampton.
Giving atheism a bad name
I don’t believe in Gods, but I enjoy reading and studying religions as it forms such a major part in our history, culture and language.
I love visiting churches and our great cathedrals; I like the old hymns and oratorio so if I were a councillor I would be happy to watch others pray to nothing if it keeps them happy.
This legal action gives atheism and secularism and our judges a bad name. They should know better and be more tolerant of long held beliefs and traditions.
I can also make the case this country was a better place when the majority of folk believed in God.
I know as a youth it kept me from doing bad things I might have tried without God on my shoulder. In fact my wife thinks I am the Atheist wing of the Church of England.
Be warned, this could lead to prayers and religion being banned in schools.
John Wright,
Port Road,
Duston, Northampton.
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