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Showing true grit

Having read the Swindon Advertiser dated 2nd March, I would like to express my opinion on the Council gritting lorries and the police service in Swindon during this horrendous weather.

Today I left my home twice by car, both times I saw a gritting lorry on Queens drive, also another gritting lorry going towards Greenbridge Retail Park. Both lorries were doing an excellent job clearing the roads for traffic to move safely.

I also saw a car accident on my way home, and a car broken down. Both times the police were present helping people and their vehicles. They were also diverting traffic, and keeping other drivers safe, from harm in very dangerous weather conditions.

I am sure this extreme weather has taken everyone by surprise, including the Council and the police. However without their help on the roads, it would be impossible to get around safely.

Therefore I feel we should give credit and praise to these services, who have acted so efficiently. Without their help we would surely be a lot less mobile and safe in this weather.

They have provided valuable services in our community, quickly and promptly.

Sandra Ricks, Silverton Road, Park North

Showing no grit

All the chest beating I am reading about how well our Council are doing with regards the gritting of the roads around the town is in complete contrast to that which is being encountered by the residents is this borough.

I ventured out this morning, Friday 2nd, and was astonished at how much the council had achieved. Or not, as it appeared. My route took me via Lower Wanborough, Covingham, Dorcan Way to Coate Water, Marlborough Road, Newport Street, Devizes Road, Victoria Road and finally into Prospect Place.

The roads were an absolute nightmare with compacted snow ruts with deep snow surrounding them. A number of vehicles were witnessed slipping and sliding to exit junctions and manoeuvre around mini roundabouts.

The council announced it had had major routes salted and a plough clearing snow.

The route I took appeared not to have been visited by any of this and I was amazed that the dual carriageway to the hospital appeared to have been ignored.

My return journey three hours later was just as challenging as the same roads were all untreated. I was the lucky traveller with four-wheel drive, but others would not have fared as well. Once again this council has under-performed in providing a valuable service when needed.

Mike Fowler, Wanborough

Getting news through

I ADMIRE and appericate all the delivery boys and girls who delivered the papers during the bad weather conditions that we have had the last few days. I did not expect to get my papers. Three cheers to the all.

Mrs Jean Ashton, Church Walk South, Swindon

The numbers add up

In reply to Steve Thomson’s reference (Adver, 28th February) to my devaluing democracy. It is simple mathematics Mr Thompson - the one with the most votes, be it a million or even one single vote, decides the issue. His remarks that I have deprived my children and grandchildren of a right to vote on the matter border on the ridiculous.

My five children, the youngest aged 39, all cast their votes on the matter. My eight grandchildren, seven of them over the age of 18, I presume did the same. If not, at least they had the choice.

Finally, while even I and my Westie have not even been able to leave our house due to the horrendous cold weather for two days, I suspect Mr Thompson is walking about in his shorts in Gorse Hill, as an advocate of the farcical global warming brigade.

Bill Williams, Merlin Way, Covingham

Don’t believe myths

In reply to Peter Bates, just what world do you live on? And where is the scientific proof that fracking actually causes earthquakes? There are at least 168 earthquakes in this country every year.

And how is fracking more dangerous for the environment than coal mining? Does he not realise that years ago we were using explosives underground whilst mining for coal? Did we get a lot of earthquakes because of this? He then goes onto his rant that wind farms and solar farms are much better. When there is no wind and no sun where does the power come from then? He is probably one of these who wants it all ways. Gas for his central heating. Electricity for his lighting. But where do the power sources come from to produce these things?

Fracking has taken place in Dorset for years with no ill results. I suggest Mr Bates changes his reading matter and becomes more conversant with modern technology and not on myths.

David Collins, Blake Crescent, Swindon

Let people choose

Whilst I whole-heartedly approve of organ donation, and wish that more people would register as donors, I do not approve of the proposed ‘opt out’ legislation.

A ‘donation’, by definition, is a ‘gift’ – which requires a positive decision and action by the donor. Therefore, one cannot have a ‘compulsory’ gift – which the opt out scheme would become; because too many people would not be aware that they have to opt out (nor how to do so) until it was too late.

In effect, the opt out scheme means that The State would take control of your body when you die.

I firmly believe that the beneficent gesture of organ donation – which can save and improve the lives of others should remain voluntary. It is a freedom for the individual to decide what should happen to their body when they die. But there needs to be more, and better, publicity about the matter, and more opportunity to register easily.

Malcolm Morrison, Prospect Hill, Swindon