Page 10 - Phonebox Magazine September 2016

Readers’ Letters
Putting Pen to Paper
Carey Way to Clifton Planks
Dear Editor, I would like to take issue with the inaccurate report in the August 2016 edition of The Phonebox concerning the disputed riverbank footpath in Olney from Carey Way to Clifton Planks.
First, to suggest that 59 Olney residents who gave evidence to the Milton Keynes Council representative supporting the claim in question had not been called is incorrect. They would have been advised of the Enquiry date and the onus was therefore entirely on the individuals to make themselves available to attend the Hearing as did the opponents to the claim. Indeed, the Council representative and the Chair of the Enquiry expressed deep disappointment that not one person from the ‘support’ side had bothered to turn up. Such an absence can, perhaps, be viewed as signi cant.
The Hearing itself was a series of shambolic presentations from some of the 8 attending members of Milton Keynes Council staff and experts on the one hand and a series of well presented and thoughtfully considered representations on the other. The cost of the Hearing to local rate payers must have been horrendous. There was one representative from Olney Town Council at the morning session but he did not contribute to the Hearing.
As for Councillor Clark’s suggestion that a representative of Olney Rugby Club should be asked to state the Club’s reasons for objecting to the proposal this should surely have been addressed and taken into consideration before the Town Council embarked on this ill-advised, ill-thought-out, badly organised and costly venture.
Yours faithfully, Robert M. Taylor
NHS In Crisis
Dear Sir, Last week the medical centre in Willen re-opened which will be quite a relief for many patients who were scattered to the four winds when it closed a few years ago. Predictably our MP Mark Lancaster jumped on the bandwagon offering his congratulations. He did not mention the continuing crisis in our local health service. There is still a shortage of GPs in Milton Keynes. This re ects the national situation which has been caused by gross under funding. The GP service receives the lowest funding rate since the NHS came into being in 1948.
Since 2010, while Lancaster’s Party has been in power the annual increase in NHS funding has been 0.9%. The NHS needs an increase of three to four percent annually just to stand still. At the moment 6.3% of GDP is spent on health. Every other major European country spends at least 8% of GDP. The last Labour Government spent 8.8% of GDP. Lancaster, of course keeps quiet about his Party’s appalling record.
It is quite possible we shall see three regional hospitals merge in the near future. Services and procedures will be lost to patients in local hospitals. Some sick people will nd themselves travelling many miles for hospital treatment. Can we expect Lancaster to be at the forefront of protest when this comes to pass? I doubt it. His political career is too important.
One hospital in Lincolnshire is considering opening its A and E Department on a part time basis (Reported on BBC News 10th August) blaming a shortage of doctors. Managers say they cannot carry out the functions expected of them because of a shortage of money. That our health services are in this crisis is entirely the fault of the Conservative Party in government. In 2010 Cameron promised to properly fund our NHS. He broke that promise. Here is the result.
Steve Mitchell, Newport Pagnell
Chantry Rise
Dear Editor, I have recently moved to Olney and was looking forward to retiring in my new home.
I spotted your article in the Phonebox last month mentioning residents parking inconsiderately in Chantry Rise and thought this might be a good opportunity to express my concerns on another subject that concerns me.
The reason for writing is to ask residents/parents in Chantry Rise, if more consideration could be taken when shouting at their children in the garden or when the children are playing in their garden.
I have tried on several occasions to enjoy my garden, mornings and afternoons and what I can often hear is best described as a school playground. The parents seem to be constantly shouting very loud at their children and there has been more than one child screaming for long periods of time. It occurs every day and is very disturbing on what is otherwise a quiet, peaceful neighbourhood.
It is not unreasonable to ask that residents respect one another and appreciating other people are at different stages in their lives. There is a children’s playground on our estate, which I believe could be another suitable place for children to let off steam.
I am writing on behalf of myself and do not feel con dent enough to approach the individuals direct. I cannot believe I am the only resident in the area that feels this way because other houses are in close proximity and I am sure they must feel the same.
Let’s make our estate a pleasant one for all ages please.
Kind regards, local resident (name supplied)
Olney Street Lamps
Dear Sir, I’m sure I’m not the only Olney resident to notice the paragraph slipped in to the Mercury Report (August edition) that the street lamps in the high street have ‘reached the end of their life’ and are to be replaced with standard galvanized columns. Who has decided these handsome lamps have reached the end of their lives. Has the cost of replacing them been compared to the cost of refurbishing them. Our historic town deserves better than this.
M.G.Allen
If you have anything to say, get in touch by writing to The Editor, Phonebox Magazine, Unit 2 Stanley Court, Olney, Bucks MK46 5NH, or emailing editor@ phoneboxmagazine.com. Alternatively, you can get in touch at facebook.com/ phoneboxmag.
We can print your letter anonymously, however you must leave us your name. Unfortunately, we can’t print any letters that we don’t know the source of.
10 Phonebox Magazine | September 2016