Letters: November 29, 2016

Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

Compensation reality

I WRITE following the editorial that appeared on page 13 of your paper on November the 24 November, which wrongly assumes that businesses paying more in compensation must be giving a worse service to customers.

As we pointed out to your reporter, it is hardly surprising that, taking the headline figures alone, GWR pays out more than many other train operators in refunds and compensation. The reason for this is clear – as one of the biggest train operators in the UK, we run more trains and carry more passengers than almost anyone else.

Rail industry complaints figures released last year by the Office of National Statistics do a more accurate job of comparison by taking this into account, with GWR featuring strongly in the top 10 best performing mainline train companies. It also shows that since taking over the franchise complaints have reduced by almost 80 per cent – an improvement not delivered by any other long-distance train company, and only by one other company in the whole of the UK.

This is thanks to the efforts of GWR workers on the ground, many of whom live and work in Swindon, making sure our train services are more punctual and more reliable, and continue to improve. As a result of this work, more customers than ever are satisfied with our services.

We don’t always get things right – and when something goes wrong it is right that we compensate customers.

Our work to introduce the new Delay Repay compensation scheme will likely see our compensation figures increase next year, not because our services will be any less punctual or reliable, but because, once approved by the Department for Transport, customers will be able to receive compensation for even shorter delays than they do today.

Andrew Mellors

Deputy managing director

Great Western Railway

....

There’s no money left

OH DEAR Mr Adams, perhaps we should have you as prime minister or president by getting rid of our royal family!

Have you given any thought to who really owns the palace? Occupied royal palaces, such as Buckingham Palace, are not the private property of the Queen. They are occupied by the Sovereign and held in trust by Crown Estates for future generations.

We the taxpayer actually own Buckingham Palace. It is the government’s obligation not to let this historic building to get into disrepair. The royal family has served this country’s interests well since Queen Victoria sat on the throne. What would you put in its place? You rant about all the bad things in this country, about not looking after the people in need. I agree that more should be done for the people that need help. How many of these people are milking the system, however? Perhaps you should think of this.

I for one know of a few. One that has two children that have been adopted and she still is claiming and receiving benefits and child allowance for the two children. Can this be right and fair? She also visits the food bank! She should get a job, but she is determined to have another child and continue drawing more child benefit.

If you are not happy living here in England, you know what you can do. Just remember that when the Conservatives came into office they found a note in the Treasury left by the previous Labour chancellor. It said there’s no money left!

Janet Woodham

Scotby Avenue

Old Town

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Austerity is essential

IN REPLY to Don Reeve (November 24), he insists that a large trade deficit would not require borrowing to bridge the gap between imports and exports.

His statement is partly true. Government borrowing would not be needed if there were enough foreign currency earned from external banking, insurance and other financial services.

The government has to borrow when the income from financial services is too small to cover the trade deficit. In that situation borrowing would be needed to reach a balance of payments.

Reducing a trade deficit requires a deflationary fiscal policy. This involves higher tax and lower government spending.

Higher tax reduces consumers’ disposable income leading to a decline in consumer spending and less spending on imports. Also, the deflationary fiscal policy helps reduce inflation and thereby improve the competitiveness of exports.

If Don Reeve checks with his old text books he will find that austerity is an essential part of dealing with the problem of a large trade deficit.

Steve Halden

Beaufort Green

Swindon

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Action beats words

THERE were interesting links between correspondence and a Swindon Advertiser report (November 25) which proves just how uncoordinated, neglected and controversial Swindon road safety enforcement and traffic management is.

Alan Wilson’s letter raised some very well observed concerns about the serious problems caused by the inconsiderate and selfish people who park on pavements. He says he has reported incidents to the council but they have failed to act.

The following letter from Steve Jackson described the dangers posed by a cyclist who weaved his way amongst the attendees of the Remembrance Ceremony. Mr Jackson says he expressed his concerns about the dangers being caused by the cyclist to a nearby police officer, but the officer was dismissive of them.

The report, “Cameras to catch the danger drivers”, explained that a £100,000 pilot project between Swindon Council and Wiltshire police aims to use video surveillance to catch reckless and dangerous drivers who jump red lights on the notorious Thamesdown Drive.

Councillor Dale Heenan, cabinet member for sustainability, highways and transportation, was quoted saying: “The council can do all the awareness campaigns, education initiatives and engineering improvements it likes but until the police properly enforce traffic laws then there will be rogue drivers who think they can get away with breaking the law on a regular basis.”

Coun Heenan’s statement stinks of duplicity. It is the kettle calling the pot black. Yes, he is right. The police should enforce traffic laws. But so should the council.

It seems to me many of the problems with traffic law enforcement are caused by the split between criminal enforcement and civil enforcement. This allows one side to blame the other for lack of action and causes public confusion over accountability.

Perhaps Coun Heenan would like to come and take a look at the so called “Safety Zone” outside Wroughton Infants School during the morning and afternoon school run. If he does so he will see vehicles parked on yellow lines, on footpaths and on grass verges. It is often the same vehicles that park here day after day, week after week, term after term and year after year. These people know they can do so with impunity because enforcement from our councillors is pathetic.

This problem was first reported to Coun Eric Shaw seven years ago but adequate action has failed to materialise. Since then it has been reported to Coun Shaw’s successors. Despite various promises, any action taken by the council has been almost non-existent.

There are plenty of parking violations which occur throughout Wroughton. Many occur on or adjacent to yellow lines or in disabled parking bays. These problems are amplified throughout the whole of Swindon.

Coun Heenan should take a look at the “broken window theory”. If you turn a blind eye to minor problems they have the potential to grow into bigger ones.

Our councillors excel at making promises when electioneering. After being elected they are quick to spot photo opportunities but when it comes to delivery they are feeble.

I suggest Coun Heenan needs to get his own “glass house” in order before he starts throwing stones.

Mr K Kane

Wharf Road, Wroughton

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Gerrard’s example

PEOPLE who know me know that I am not a fan of ‘professional’ football as I consider the so-called players to be overpaid, underperforming fairies who are more interested in the money than the game they are purported to play.

However, Steve Gerrard, once of Liverpool, who has recently announced his retirement, is one player who has broken this perception.

Before his brief stay in the USA, he has stayed with Liverpool for the whole of his career from a beginner to becoming one if their top players. He has put his club and team first.

He is, to my mind, the sort of player who is a good example to the up and coming players of the future.

The current mob are tainted with greed and until they retire, and the sooner the better as far as I am concerned, the game of professional football will deteriorate further.

The up-and-coming players of the future should follow Gerrard’s example and work with their local football club and take that club as far as they can to success. Then the game will, once again, become a game worth following.

Maybe Swindon could become the first club to encourage our local football talent to follow Gerrard’s example. Just a thought.

Gerry Taylor

Newcastle Street, Swindon

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Superb Billy Elliot

WE WENT to see the production of Billy Elliot recently at Commonweal School.

Apparently it took 11 months to rehearse and what a superb performance to boot! Such local talent.

Two gripes, howeverOne gripe or two, however (there usually is). First was What annoyed me (and a few others) was the overuse of profane language present on stage, especially from some of the young members of the cast.

An injection of realism of course is needed to make the production believable, but when some of the younger cast members were subjected to hearing such profanity I winced. overuse of the vernacular I feel detracts from the narrative, it grinds on one’s senses.

My other gripe was the blasphemous outbursts. I am perfectly aware that in real life such angry outbursts are indeed common, -but -this was a stage production and as such I felt it was overused. Indeed Surely little is more.

Just a thought.

An excellent all-round production, with an excellent talented cast. Congratulations to all involved!

Steve Nibbs

Milton Road, Swindon