Letters: April 13 2016

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Voices against leaving

MAY I make a few points about the coming referendum on Europe.

Here are just a few of the statements made in the last month or so by some very important people.

In the the International Weekly Journal of Science of March 31 a total of 907 scientists surveyed showed that fewer than one in eight think we should leave the EU and 83 per cent wish to stay.

In a letter to The Times on March 10 Stephen Hawking says leaving will be a disaster for UK science. The letter was also signed by 150 fellows of the Royal Society.

On March 21 the CBI said leaving could cost up to one million jobs,

The Financial Times on April 6 reported National Union of Farmers’ claim that Brexit is likely to push up prices between five and and eight per cent.

British Council of Commerce in Europe reports that 89 per cent of businesses in Europe back staying in the EU.

The Telegraph on April 3 reported a leading professor of surgery’s fears that leaving the EU will harm and undermine our NHS.

In the last few days 11 car companies, including Honda and BMW. have voiced the worries about leaving the EU – and this matters to Swindon more than most.

On April 9 every Minister for Universities and Science for the last 25 years signed a letter to The Times explaining the importance of the EU to UK universities

But what do these lightweights know compared to the man at the bar of your pub pontificating to anyone silly enough to listen to him how being alone in the world is the best thing since sliced bread.

He will tell you that these people above are just scaremongering, that’s the sort of thing scientists do.

Yes, you have all met him and he does have all the answers and he knows exactly what will happen after we leave.

Unfortunately, if you ask him what plan B is, just in case he is wrong, there is a deafening silence and you could hear a pin drop

ROY CARTWRIGHT

Covingham, Swindon

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Bottleneck road project

INTERESTING to see the headline, “Work to rid Swindon of major bottleneck starts on Monday”!

A £5.3 million project.

I note that cabinet member Dale Heenan stated that, “We must learn the lessons of the past 30 years etc.” Also, “It is improvements like these that will be crucial in keeping Swindon moving and help our town, (Glad he never mentioned ‘city’), avoid the rush hour gridlock that neighbouring cities like Bristol, Bath, and Oxford experience.”

Cllr Toby Elliot also stated, “This project is necessary to tackle a peak time bottleneck and improve road links towards the east of Swindon.

“Over the next 15 years there will be 8,000 new homes, a district centre, new schools and employment for up to 4,000 people in the new eastern village’s development and we must ensure Swindon has the right infrastructure at the right time.

“The eastern village’s development will create a new district centre with shops and leisure facilities. New schools, including a secondary school are included in the plan and outline planning permission has already been given for 30 hectares of employment sites.”

Amongst all of this, still no mention of a new hospital, (unless the details are hidden away somewhere), or in fact an improvement in crematorium facilities, (as mentioned by Bill Williams).

I remember a representative of Highways coming to talk to my driving group some years ago and he mentioned that they were thinking of changing London Street, Sheppard Street and Station Road into two-way roads.

I asked what would happen to the vehicles parked outside properties on the right hand side in Sheppard Street, which seemingly had nowhere else to park.

“I’m not sure where you mean,”was the reply.

Be careful what you wish for as far as Swindon planners are concerned.

CHRIS GLEED (FAIRSO)

Proud Close, Purton

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Spending on EU leaflets

POOR old Dodgy Dave. I have never accepted the fact that the alleged sins of a member of any family should necessarily reflect the actions of any other individual member.

After all, Al Capone’s brother James became a prohibition agent. Before big Al was jailed his comment to the press outside the courtroom was: “What about the bankers?”

Does history repeat itself?

However, I do not accept that taxpayers’ money is being used to send out leaflets in favour of remaining in the European Disunion.

We are to have a democratic vote on that issue which will effect all our lives.

The money should have been used on a great number of more needy causes.

It brings me to the conclusion that our Prime Minister is either running scared in his neglect of his duty as the custodian of our island or is arrogant beyond belief in the face of the hard daily struggle of the people he has the great honour and privilege to represent.

I suspect both.

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way, Covingham, Swindon.

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Thanks for your honesty

A GREAT big thank you to whoever you are.

On Thursday, April 7 at about noon my brother-in- law’s partner Amanda was having a coffee in a well known coffee house in West Swindon before returning to work.

When she left work at 17.30 to catch the bus home she realised she had mislaid her purse.

She went back to the coffee house and the purse had been handed in by a very honest and decent person.

We all thank you whoever you are, and the staff in the shop.

Amanda was not feeling too well that day and you lifted her spirits.

JOHN L CROOK

Haydon Wick

Swindon