Force buggies to give way on the buses

I WAS disappointed with the ruling which means selfish people with buggies don’t have to make way on buses for those in wheelchairs (The Yorkshire Post, December 8).

As a regular bus passenger, I see the problems that buggies can cause to other travellers. I mean, I’ve no objection to them occupying the sole wheelchair space when there isn’t a wheelchair on board. But most drivers seem to allow a seconded unfolded buggy in the space of the folded-up seats, even if this reduces the seating space for fare paying passengers.

Two buggies inevitably mean that the gangway is at least partly blocked, causing problems for those getting on and off a vehicle. What’s more, I should say that some buggies are in reality prams, virtually if not impossible to fold.

So if legislation relating to bus travel has to change, then I would recommend that non-foldable prams\buggies were only allowed on board if those pushing them paid an extra fare, as happens when people are accompanied by a dog. After all, they do take up valuable room.

Fiddling the crime figures

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield, East Yorkshire.

CHIEF Constable Neil Rhodes is right to speak out about the cuts his force is facing. The Home Office lives in cloud cuckoo land. Of course there is less ‘crime’ (The Yorkshire Post, December 9).

Police forces are obliged to fiddle the books in order to appear efficient and many small crimes are not even reported because the victim is well aware that the police will not attend and they will, if lucky, only be given a crime number so they can claim on their insurance. As a young constable, I was set the task of keeping observations for someone who stole a bottle of milk from a doorstep every day.

After three early mornings on watch, I arrested him. He was charged and went to court to be fined and threatened with jail if he did it again. Today he would plead poverty and be sent to a food bank for milk.

Mandela’s legacy

From: Edward Dale, Penny Lane, Summit Drive, West Riding, Durban.

I ABSOLUTELY love living in South Africa under Nelson Mandela’s dream party, the African National Congress (Bill Carmichael, The Yorkshire Post, December 12). We now have so much freedom in South Africa!

Freedom from electricity – because there isn’t any; freedom from the Police – the system has collapsed, so you just pay a policeman a bribe if he asks; freedom from health care – the hospital health care systems have collapsed, and all the equipment stolen; freedom to sit at home each evening – you can’t walk or drive anywhere, as you’ll get murdered anytime after dark; freedom of personal possessions – they’ve all been stolen as well.

Yep, it’s certainly a free country now.

Thank you, Mr Mandela, for destroying our once beautiful country!

Look at what’s
down the line

From: Michael Green, Baghill Green, Tingley, Wakefield.

YOUR correspondent ME Wright refers to the hoped for withdrawal of the much criticised “Pacer” trains from service in Yorkshire (The Yorkshire Post, December 8).

He may not be aware that one of the leading candidates for their replacement is the former London Underground “surface” stock recently withdrawn from the Metropolitan and Circle Lines, which date from 1961, and would simply have truck engines bolted under the chassis to convert them from electric to diesel power.

No, this is not an April 1 spoof! I understand that the design work is well under way.

I think we should be very, very careful what we wish for!

Pensioner on
the throne

From: John Fisher, Menwith Hill, Harrogate.

THE biggest problem facing Prince Charles as our future king is his age and possible problems created by his first marriage. He will be of pensionable age on accession and he will inevitably rely increasingly on the younger members of the royal family.

One way to ensure a younger future UK monarchy would be for Charles to go into a graceful retirement and allow a younger monarch to take the throne, following the practice of some European monarchy. In a world of instant news and the increasing importance of personal image on the worldwide media it is difficult to see a future British royal family left unscathed by these forces.

We started 
the holy war

From: Trev Bromby, Sculcoates Lane, Hull.

I DON’T suppose for one moment that I’m the only person frustrated, enraged that there is little mention of the unholy alliance between George W Bush Bush and Tony Blair dragging Britain into a modern day holy war. Blair is the ultimate blood-spiller, regardless of who wields the sword.