Sponsored by
Effort to counter C-charge propaganda welcome
I read the article in the Wigan Evening Post "He would say that wouldn't he," with some interest, particularly the comments attributed to Howard Bernstein on them.
The survey is to be applauded, given the vast amount of pro-congestion propaganda that has been put out.
When asked to comment on the survey, Mr Bernstein said: "Any survey which asks 'Do you support congestion charging' is bound to generate a negative response."
Perhaps Mr Bernstein may care to suggest a better way of posing the question because I can't think of one.
He goes on to say: "What is absolutely vital is that people are aware the vast bulk of public transport improvements will be in place ahead of the congestion charges."
So voters are being asked to believe that if they agree to the charges we can all expect a wonderful future - dream on Mr Bernstein.
Isn't he aware of the disaster the London model has turned out to be?
Ah, but he tells us the Manchester model is different, strangely the proposed (not definite) basic charge is the same as that levied initially in London - I wonder why?
Do readers really believe this will be the actual charge if the system is accepted? I for one don't! Do readers remember the promises made regarding the costs of another major event in 2012 - the Olympics?
Perhaps Mr Bernstein could send a list in to this paper setting out clearly the amount of money available to Wigan and more importantly Hindley stating exactly how much we will get and more importantly what improvements they will see from the money.
Coun Jim Ellis, Independent , Hindley
GM: Nothing to fear
I see that Prince Charles has been at it again, banging the drum against genetically modified crops. Surely he and others understand, that GM has been naturally occurring for thousands of years?
When nature does it herself, it is called "evolution" and when we do it, it is called "GM". The only major variance between the two, is the timescale. Boffins make it happen more quickly than it would do naturally and this frightens some people.
Other than the speed, there is no real difference.
Jim Walker, address supplied
Weed poses threat to grazing animals
Many supporters have contacted us to voice their concerns about ragwort, a weed which is blooming at the moment. As every horse owner and farmer knows, ragwort contains toxins which can have debilitating or fatal consequences if eaten by horses and other grazing animals.
Ragwort has its place in the countryside; it supports a wide variety of invertebrates and is a major nectar source for many insects, but it must be controlled, especially where there are horses and livestock.
There is growing concern that some public bodies who own land, such as local authorities, are not taking the problem seriously but there is no excuse. A code of practice on how to stop the spread of ragwort is available from Defra.
We are writing to all councils and other bodies to remind them that they have a duty to control ragwort.
Simon Hart, chief executive, Countryside Alliance, via email
No shame in miming
I really didn't understand the fuss that was made when the young Chinese girl soloist during the Olympic Games opening ceremony was discovered to have been miming.
Many of today's pop stars are little more than mime-artists, backed by technology that shields the truth that they are mediocre performers who happen to have the right look.
Whoever was doing the singing in Beijing sounded lovely.
Name and address supplied
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
