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The congestion charge meeting was not enough
I am delighted that Coun Audrey Bennett has risen to my bait in attacking my case for a congestion charge referendum and has perhaps unwittingly strengthened it.
In placing great store by the 70 to 12 vote for TIF at GMPTE's July seminar, she fails to mention that the audience consisted mainly of attendees by written invitation of GMPTE (hardly independent), and few others had any notice of its time or location.
Neither does she mention the opinion poll expensively commissioned by the AGMA and covering only 5,000 people (roughly half the size of a typical metropolitan borough local ward).
Both of these examples pale into insignificance when the simple mathematics of my contrary case are offered for scrutiny. The total population of the 10 Greater Manchester Authorities well exceeds 2.5 million people, all of whom will be affected to some degree by congestion charging. Reluctance to consult all these citizens adequately merely endorses my accusation of steamrolling.
If the letters in this and other local newspapers are anything to go by, then a substantial number of residents are of the opinion that congestion around here is caused by irrational measures of the Traffic Management Unit, creating work for themselves and the opportunity for another stealth tax. Thus I reiterate that any local election candidate, who refuses to endorse the case for a referendum in their manifesto next May, deserves political oblivion. The people should decide.
Dave Culshaw, Whiteside Avenue,Hindley
Excessive drinking part of society
So, retired GP Richard Taylor, a member of the Government's Health Committee, has admitted that you can drink above the officially guidelines on alcohol.
Strange, isn't it, that a country notorious for the longevity of its population - Russia - is also notorious for having the world's hardest drinkers and smokers.
Drinking to excess is par for the course for many, there is no need to "medicalise" it.
E Timoroksa, address supplied
Young people can use guns maturely
I would like to point out to recent letter-writer Mr Huskisson, that there is no relationship between the world of illegal gun crime and the legal and responsible sporting use of guns.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation holds many Young Shots' days, where youngsters can try airgun and clay pigeon shooting and we see them developing a remarkable degree of maturity. They are very keen to learn about how to use guns safely and responsibly.
To be granted a shotgun certificate, the police will consider whether the applicant, whatever their age, is likely to pose a threat to public safety, and whether there is good reason to refuse it. The police can also obtain details of their medical history and inspect security arrangements.
There are many youngsters who are working towards representing Britain in the shooting disciplines at the 2012 Olympics in London. Should these young people, who are a credit to their country, be banned from having legal access to shooting sports too?
It is a shame that the anti-gun lobby is 'outraged' by young people behaving responsibly, learning self-discipline and becoming model citizens. Perhaps if more young people followed their lead, the police would have fewer problems with anti-social behaviour on our streets.
Helen Shuker, The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, via email
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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