Fighting for town's recycling centre

IN January, Shropshire Council decided to close Ludlow’s tip and recycling centre at Coder Road.

It did so despite receiving a unanimous response to its two consultations on closure – the people of Ludlow want to keep Coder Road open, and despite more than 2,000 residents signing a petition against closure. It did so despite widespread fears that the loss of the facility will lead to more fly- tipping and less recycling.

The council will make this decision in secret. No member of the public or press will be allowed into the meeting. The decision will be made by a lone councillor from Oswestry, a town where the tip and recycling centre is set to remain open.

Ludlow’s buses are in a mess. Our park and ride service barely exists. We are now to lose our tip and shortly we will lose our council offices.

Ludlow is not getting a fair deal from Shropshire Council. It is concentrating services, subsidies and jobs in Shrewsbury at the expense of council tax payers in our town.

ANDY BODDINGTON

Chestnut Grove

Ludlow

 

Join our bus bid

BUS USERS Shropshire is delighted to see that Minsterley Motors has responded quickly and efficiently in re-instating a town service for Ludlow, but the demise of Shropshire Link has left major gaps in the bus network around Ludlow.

We have received a number of calls from local members, both in Bridgnorth and Ludlow to bring back the bus between these two Shropshire towns. That’s why we have launched a campaign to do just that.

We are asking people who live on or near the 141 route (Bitterley, Ditton Priors, Cleobury North, Neenton) to get in touch with their local councillor about the matter.

The cost of providing a bus journey in each direction between school hours would not be expensive but the benefits to the High Street of these towns would be considerable. We feel that bus cuts have gone too far and this is causing hard - ship for people, and for what? If people would like to join us in the campaign then please contact us.

Bus Users Shropshire, c/o Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, 5 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, SY1 2AE or phone 07580 564458, or e-mail bususersshropshire@ hotmail.co.uk. Or find us on facebook.

PETER GILBERT

Bus Users Shropshire

c/o Shrewsbury Coffeehouse Shrewsbury

 

Is he right man?

ARE we allowed suspicions?

There is an ongoing row about whether Downing Street is ensuring Tory supporters get key posts on public bodies, like the schools’ inspectorate Ofsted, the Charity Commission or the Arts Council.

Downing Street has said it makes appointments “on merit”. Interesting then to examine the background of Andrew Sells, the newly- appointed chairman of Natural England, the government body responsible for protecting nature.

You might think such a job should go to someone with a background in ecology and an understanding of the natural world and its impact on human society. Turns out Andrew Sells has a background in house building, investment banking and accountancy.

And oh yes, he has a history of support for Conservative party.

Curious that.

HILARY WENDT

South Shropshire Green Party

Walcot

Lydbury North

 

Gagging law vote

PHILIP Dunne was one of the MPs who voted for the gagging law, introducing new rules which try to prevent non-politicians from speaking up on big, or small, national issues. He voted against the wishes of the likes of groups from Royal British Legion through Oxfam to the RSPB among many others.Your readers should be made aware of his stance as it is wholly against freedom of speech. It could even be used against newspapers that wish to campaign on almost any subject.

ROBIN SIDEBOTTOM

Church Lane

Bishops Castle

 

MP let us down

MP, Philip Dunne, let us down on the important issue of the gagging law. I’m sure you in the press know how he (and 16 other Conservative/Liberal Democrat MPs) could have helped make major beneficial changes with their voting power? Now it has to go back to the House of Lords. Please help publicise why this is so important to charities and others who have spoken up about it, before we are all gagged forever.

SALLY RUSSELL

Clee St Margaret

 

Need to do more

THE article about the council’s concern over dog fouling in our local playing fields and parks ( Ludlow Advertiser , January 16) is a good way to remind folk that they need to clear up after their dogs and that there is no such thing as the dog mess fairy. However, I do feel that the council could help improve the state of affairs.

It could provide a dispenser with dog mess bags at the entrance to these green areas, along with notices to remind people of the penalties for not clearing up after their animals.

If you look online at the examples being shown by several other councils (to name a few, Kirklees, Stafford and Telford and Wrekin) they provide dog glove dispensers and poop bags are available free of charge in a wide range of outlets in the towns.

JOANNA BURKE

Kyre

Tenbury Wells

 

Back our school

FOLLOWING the recent Ofsted report and subsequent news that Tenbury High School is now in special measures. I felt I wanted to write. Both my children attend the school. I was as shocked as anyone by this news.

I talked to other parents and some staff about my specific concerns in relation to my children’s education, but most importantly I spoke to my kids and asked them what they thought. They stated that they are “happy and safe and like their school environment” and I have always had the philosophy that if they are happy they will learn.

Yes, Tenbury has a lot to do to improve and needs to quickly, but it is all too easy to think negatively. Our community needs our school and our school needs our community so let us support it and celebrate the good things it offers our children.

SARA MORRIS

Tenbury Wells