Cyclists looked after while footpaths get clogged

WHEN is enough going to be enough? The vast amount of money spent on design, construction and changes surrounding the cycleways has surely gone out of proportion to the number of users. Someone doing a comparison of construction and maintenance costs between road, footpath and cycleway users should be a wakeup call for everyone.

For the privileged few, the cyclists have a cycleway that is exclusive to them while footpath users have to contend with mobility scooters, skateboards, Segways, fast and slow walkers walking in all directions, groups of people obstructing right of way, runners, dogs, billboard obstructions, chairs and tables, and the list could go on.

On the road, there are trucks, large and small, buses, mobile implements, motorbikes, pedestrians, inconsiderate cyclists as well as the various family cars and vans for one to compete with.

As for parking, the lack of it will kill the CBD.

When I need a mobility scooter, I will be all out to campaign for a dedicated mobility scooter lane, citing the cycleway as the reason.

Rowan Leck

Dunedin

Festive spirit

CHRISTMAS spirit is alive and well in 2018. We took the opportunity to view a number of homes decorated in the goodwill of Christmas around our city on Saturday evening, and saw many great presentations in themed festive spirits in lights.

We were amazed when stopping off and having a walk through the Patterson open home in Roy Cres, Concord.

What a special step back into true Christmas themes, along with a warm welcome from Carol and family/ friends. For the many folks, very young to some of us much older, the experience warmed the cockles of our hearts to share such a moment.

The hours to set up and present this amazing celebration are hugely appreciated. Thank you a thousand times, and that doesn’t reach the number of Santa bears set out in the house. Colin & Ann Weatherall

Brighton THE silly season is here again. Jock Allison (ODT, 14.12.18) repeats his campaign of misinformation on the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change. Does he offer new evidence? No, just a collection of words and phrases highlighted in inverted commas.

Here are demonstrable facts: global temperatures over the past two decades have risen in accord with previous predictions, and there are compelling data from a wide range of sources that demonstrate a significant influence of greenhouse gases on Earth’s climate.

Reunion

Mike Palin Belleknowes North Otago Early Settlers Assn: A fourday 80th jubilee celebration will be held in Oamaru from Waitangi Day, February 6, to Saturday, February 9. Descendants of families who were early settlers in Oamaru or surrounding districts welcome. Oamaru Harbour and Settlers Hall, Oamaru. Contact Helen Stead, helenstead@xnet.co.nz, (03) 4341173, 0274341173.