Last updated 19:42, Thursday, 19 June 2008

IN this current situation of rising fuel costs, I was dismayed to receive from my suppliers of gas and electricity a letter stating that, for my convenience, my bills would in future be sent combined.THERE must be some explanation as to why teachers in some schools have taken a sudden dislike to dogs.IN THIS area we are blessed with a series of cycle tracks that are converted from old railway lines and footpaths. WHILE cycling in the Vale of Lorton I was amazed to see how much money has been wasted on repeat signs indicating that the quiet rural road through Thackthwaite is on a national cycle route.I DO hope I am spared the pleasure of being dispatched to hospital to be greeted by an aggressive, intolerant, status seeking, all powerful nurse.WHY ARE Allerdale authorities so mesmerised by supermarkets despite evidence elsewhere of harmful effects in many small towns?AFTER a fight of 13 years the government inspectors have finally given the go ahead for the wind turbine farm to be built at Fairfield Farm near Pica.I WOULD like to thank those people who took the time to vote for me in the recent by-election in All Saints Ward, Cockermouth.

I would receive one quarterly bill which would have the payments required for both gas and electricity together.

I politely informed them that it may be convenient to them, but not to me.

I speak for everyone when I say we can hardly afford to pay for them individually at separate times, never mind as a double amount in one go.

I then went online and compared other companies, and found I could get gas and electric at a saving of £300 per year, plus £15 cashback for changing, plus loyalty points from another company.

At the click of a button, I changed suppliers and made my saving.

I urge everyone else to do the same; don’t let the fat cats dictate.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Having resorted to placing prominent warnings outside the gates banning them from entering, it makes one wonder what education is coming to if man’s best friend is held up as a bad example, a terrifying monster to children so that they grow up to fear what normally would be considered a companion.

Surely, it’s not the dog that should be feared, more the reverse one would think in this day and age.

Perhaps teachers know this to be true, having watched their infant and junior pupils tweak the dogs’ tails or pulling at the animals’ fur when they think the teachers’ backs are turned.

If so, instead of banning the dogs they should encourage their charges to love and respect them.

So, please remove the notices and show the youngsters that dogs are their friends and not their enemies.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

They are kept to a high standard by the maintenance staff that repair the Tarmac, cut back the foliage, remove fallen trees and maintain the drainage systems – a special thank you to those staff.

Most of the users I come across treat the cycle tracks with respect.

Cycle tracks take us into the countryside to enjoy quiet and peaceful settings, with wonderful views.

They are there for all to enjoy, cyclists, ramblers, leisure walkers, horse riders, short cuts to schools (in places) and dog walkers/exercisers.

Unfortunately, it is some of the dog walkers that I have to take issue with.

The regular dog walkers I meet, when out on my bike, are great. They see, or hear (ring, ring), me coming and either take hold of their animal or control them by other means, and those who do this, please disregard this letter as I hold you in full respect.

This letter condemns those who allow their animals to run wild, to attack passers-by (cyclists), to foul the tracks - those who are not in control of their animals.

These animals are a menace and very dangerous to passers-by – especially cyclists – who can suffer injury by the actions of the dogs or by trying to avoid them.

Today ‘took the biscuit’ when I was told to “slow down when going past dogs”.

To that gentleman and all others who think they have priority to let their uncontrolled animals wander all over our cycle tracks. “no, I will not”. Or I will use a more apt expression: “On yer bike mate!!”

Take a look at the name – They are ‘cycle tracks’, there predominately for people who, would you believe, cycle.

If you can’t control your animals, keep them on a lead, or find somewhere else to exercise them. Keep off the cycle tracks.

T HOUGHTON

Derwent Bank

Seaton

Every few hundred yards new signs have been erected. On closer inspection it turns out the Millennium Lottery Fund has financed this plethora of steel poles.

It is the sort of money-wasting on pointless signs we see every day if we drive around the trunks road of the North of England. I am referring to the signs that tell you the road was built and maintained by the state-owned Highways Agency.

DAVID SIDDALL

St Helens Street

Cockermouth

Your letters page has quite disturbed me and shattered my illusions.

Is it too much to ask to be cared for by a fellow human being, with a degree of empathy, humility and humour?

Yes, even one prepared to acknowledge and deal with basic needs.

Or is the modern-day nurse operating on a different plane, far removed from lowly patients?

I believe your correspondent may have seriously undermined his argument and indeed confirmed the view expressed by the Times & Star concerning the return of matrons.

On the basis of this letter, there is a case for matrons if only to curb the power of the autonomous nurse and to refocus attention on the patient and his needs.

If the situation is as outlined by your correspondent, it is not surprising that mundane matters such as cleanliness are overlooked.

A GILBERT

Deer Orchard Close

Cockermouth

Following the Cloffocks fiasco for Workington, I support your complainant about their readiness to give away one Maryport green space asset to allow another to be sacrificed to a supermarket. Why should they be subsidising them unfairly at the expense of the town centre small shops?

It would be no service to Allerdale’s alleged purpose to make Maryport more attractive to tourists for them to find more empty shops in the town centre, put out of business by unfair competition.

And just when the good news of the Cuetos’ restoration plans for the Golden Lion has increased our hopes of drawing more harbourside visitors up into the town!

Meanwhile, has any thought been given to the traffic implications? In Mealpot the mini-roundabout at one end still leaves a distinct hazard, without encouraging more supermarket traffic.

And what about the sports traffic parking on the main road for the new venue?

If there is any truth in the idea of further supermarket development on the Spar site at the other end, all these problems will be multiplied.

Far better to forget extra supermarkets, let existing smaller shops develop in quantity and variety, and consider a more radical approach to the road problems there and at Netherhall corner.

Has any careful consideration ever been given to a possible one-way system from the main road railway bridge northward to Netherhall corner, eastward from the corner to the current mini-roundabout junction, and southward along Mealpot to the railway bridge?

Maybe there are greater obstacles than immediately seems the case; but both mini-roundabout and traffic lights could be eliminated as long as adequate pedestrian crossing arrangements were worked out - allowing freer flow movement on both roads and pavements.

Is it not worth serious study to check whether this is just a pipe dream?

DONALD LEIGHTON

Sycamore Road

Maryport

This is really good news as this site is well away from any built-up area, and will serve the public well.

If you think about it, if all schools and public buildings had a wind turbine fixed this would generate millions of pounds of electricity and be good for the economy. It is also the only pollution-free method of generating electricity.

JAMES TAYLOR

Mid-Town Close

Distington

Though unsuccessful, I am still a town councillor and should anyone have a problem and need to speak to me. I can be contacted on 01900 827061.

CHRISTINE SMITH

Cockermouth