Appalled by brother’s experience on trains
I AM writing to discuss why the government needs to invest more money into public transport. Firstly, I would like to tell you about my personal experience with public transport. I was on a family trip to London with my younger, disabled brother who is wheelchairbound. Along with my family, I was shocked at the appalling standard of disabled access on a public train. The trains had no ramps on them so to get on the train we had to wait for someone to help us and find a ramp, which delayed our journey. Then to get off the train, we again had to wait for a ramp. At this time we were the only passengers left, and as nobody had come to help, the train doors closed. My brother was very distressed and began to cry as he thought he would be trapped. Thankfully, the train did not go anywhere and eventually we did get off. However, this disgraceful experience has left my brother fearful of any public transport and now a fear of being trapped, all because public transport companies do not have the funds for proper facilities, help and access to those with special needs. If the government had, for example, invested more money into these train companies, they could have had an electric ramp installed, which would not only assist wheelchair users but also mothers with pushchairs. I also believe that the government should invest much more money into bus services. Again, my brother had to stop using public buses when he switched to an electric wheelchair as there is just no room for his wheelchair to go. Public transport is such an important necessity to all members of our community. I think that it is incredibly important for everybody and all their needs to be able to safely access public transport without fear. This is why our government needs to step up and truly make this a United Kingdom by investing their money into our public transport system.
Without public transport, our community and its people would be denied the right to basic tasks such as going to a shop or a bank. This makes it imperative that the government invests in making our public transport available to everyone, in the best standard. Anna Tierney, aged 15 Keresley
I hope new mayor keeps his word
WELL done to Andy Street on becoming the WMCA Mayor.
Let us hope he will instil common sense in Coventry City Council and not let them get away with crass ideas and decisions, and more to the point, waste millions.
I had the pleasure to meet the man in question, and found him to be a good speaker, friendly and a gentleman, which was rewarding in itself.
He is management quality and it shows and I am sure will not be an easy pushover. When I spoke to Mr Street he did say that building on brownfield sites would be his preference and not greenbelt. He did say the West Midlands had enough brownfield sites to fulfil the housing needs without using greenbelt.
Let us hope he keeps his word, and he can save the greenbelt to enjoy a bit longer. Sandra Camwell Keresley
Shocking reminder of concrete jungle
ALTHOUGH somewhat spoilt by being printed across two pages, your recent Pic of the Day showing St John’s Church dwarfed by unsightly tower blocks was a shocking reminder, if one were needed, of what is happening to the centre of Coventry.
It is sad to see the once pleasant and uncongested city centre turning into a concrete jungle of hideous proportions.
Do the town planners have no vision at all? Wendy Bindon Kenilworth