Our readers from across the borough give their weekly take on the biggest issues impacting Gedling and beyond.
You can write a letter of your own to us by filling in the simple form below, and it may appear online.
Some letters refer to past correspondence which can be found by clicking HERE. Join the debate by email. Send your letter to letters@gedlingeye.co.uk and put ‘Letters’ in the subject line.
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E-scooters: why do we have laws at all?
I am a relatively active 77-year-old who keeps fit by trying to walk about six miles each day, come rain or shine.
Most of my walking is done within a three mile radius of where I live in Netherfield.
I have noticed an increase in youngsters nipping around on e-scooters, even though it is illegal to do so on public highways.
The fact that police seem to offer little more than ‘words of advice’ to those riding an e-scooter on our pavements beggars belief – it makes you wonder why we have laws at all.
No wonder there is so much petty crime when the criminal is told to sit on the naughty step and don’t do it again. I really don’t think they could care less.
To obtain their details will have little or no effect. Parents either couldn’t care less what their offspring is doing or don’t know, which is suspect.
However, if they did know and the police had the address etc of the user, if someone such as myself was injured by an e-scooter user driving into me, would they immediately pop round and arrest the user or their parents and start proceedings against them?
Would I be able to sue them personally for damages? Would their House and Contents Insurance cover the claim or would I have to issue one through the courts? Who would be liable, the rider, their parents or the police for allowing the use of an illegal vehicle on public thoroughfare in the first place?
Or should the Transport Secretary ban their sale and use outright across the UK? That would be my preferred option.
Or am I allowed to carry out a citizen’s arrest, grab the offending scooter and somehow disable it and march its owner to a police station that is open?
Virtually impossible as the nearest cop shop must be at least six miles away.
Derek Tyler,
Netherfield
Society assumes we are all dog lovers
Responsible owners have their dogs at heel, they tidy up dog mess, they don’t let them yap uncontrollably and don’t sniff around everyone and everything – especially as they are now welcomed in most restaurants, something I hate!
Why is it assumed that everyone is a dog lover? What about the rights of the rest of the population?
Ken Murphy,
Arnold
Turn Carlton Square into green space
It is very sad to hear that Carlton Square is slowly dying due to lack of shops but instead of regular financial lifelines from the council, why don’t we knock it down and turn it into a much-needed green space instead?
The traders left could be moved to Netherfield high street via a subsidised move, and we do what Nottingham City Council couldn’t – knock down a crumbling concrete mess and turn the space into an asset for the community. I see trees, a pond, benches and a haven for wildlife.
I don’t see why our taxes should be wasted on propping up this centre when the cash could be used to do something more positive instead.
Teresa Walker,
Carlton
Millions have decided work is not for them
Figures released by the Department of Works and Pensions, show that around five million people in the UK of working age are ‘economically inactive.’
That is those that are not only unemployed, but are not actively seeking work. Of course some have been left money by their Great Aunt Mable, others have won the lottery, and many are of independent means using their pensions and savings. With some unfortunately being unable to work through illness.
We are left with the millions who decided that working is not for them. Seems like a no-brainer to me with housing costs, rent etc, now topping £1,350pm, covered by the taxpayer.
Living on benefits never appealed to me – and working full-time means I am heavily taxed for the privilege. And for what? To see my tax money and that of others squandered on state-sponsored indolence. To make it worse, a lot of these people can’t even be bothered to wear proper attire to shop at the Co-op – they are still in their pyjamas. A big two fingers to the tax payer I say.
Adrian Lowe,
Carlton
I totally agree with the comment about escooters and the lack of action by the police.
I have nearly been involved in a number of potential accidents with the idiots who use them.
They are illegal anywhere in public areas in Gedling so the police should take action – but they won’t until someone gets killed or badly injured.
Absolutely agree! The amount of young kids in school uniform using them, do they take them to school? Usually 2 riders too. I have felt them physically brush past me they have been that close. Also seen them go through red traffic lights at junctions on the road and the police ignore them.
They ride them at cars then when they get hurt “he’s a good little boy” and it’s the car drivers fault somehow? A woman was killed wasn’t she by a 14 year old (not in Gedling)?