New coal mine could help save the environment
MPs and climate change warriors who want to overturn permission for a new coal mine can’t see beyond their polished halos.
The mine would supply highquality coking coal for the steel industry, with minimal transport miles. The alternative is to import coal, which is likely to be lower quality, transported over long distances from an overseas mine that may not be as environmentally friendly.
it has been suggested electric blast furnaces could be used. i’ve seen these operating in Norway, where there is a plentiful supply of hydroelectric power.
With the vast increases in electricity demands envisaged in Britain, demand will soon outstrip supply. so, why not allow the mine and work on carbon capture?
DAVID WOOLDRIDGE,
Bracknell, Berks.
Council tax hiked
THERE has been concern that Band D council tax now exceeds £ 2,000 a year. My tiny twobedroom flat in Band D hit this figure two years ago.
My bill for this year has gone up by 7.5 per cent to £2,275. My state pension is increasing by 2.5 per cent, which will be only an extra couple of quid a week, while my occupational pension is due to rise by a mere 0.5 per cent. i feel i am being robbed.
if i was getting good- quality services from the council it might be understandable, but the standard of facilities is abysmal.
RICH BOOMER, Falmouth, Cornwall.
Climate ups and downs
A REPORT from Cambridge university suggests we are having the worst summer droughts in europe for 2,000 years (Mail).
it’s ridiculous to suggest the drought pattern has accelerated since 2015, which is but a blink of an eye in terms of climate.
This claim does not tally with historical data showing no increase in frequency or severity of droughts over 150 years. if you look at the 4,000 years to the present day, there have been periods of dryness and wetness.
We are living in a warm period of the earth’s climate pattern, which has been seen many times long before industry and human activities had any influence.
This interglacial period should be welcomed compared to the Little ice Age from the 14th century to the mid-19th century.
MICHAEL J. COLE, Wolstanton, Staffs.
A chance to live
I WOULD like to offer an alternative view to Claire Gilbert, who described her cancer treatment as horrific (Good Health).
My husband underwent a stem cell transplant in october 2018. it was a traumatic time and he experienced a lot of the problems Claire described, but he’s so happy he was offered the chance to have a normal life.
All procedures have risks, it’s worth everything to have the treatment and doctors wouldn’t put you forward if they didn’t believe you would benefit.
Claire has endured dreadful days, but it would be a shame if, after reading her account, a cancer sufferer was too frightened to proceed with a stem cell transplant. Cancer is dreadful and there are times the cure must feel worse than the disease. But knowing you’ve got the chance to recover is so worth it.
KATH MORTON, High Wycombe, Bucks.
Red Wall demands
THE forthcoming Hartlepool byelection will highlight the progress made on Boris Johnson’s promises for the North of england after the crumbling of the red Wall vote in the General election.
if better transport facilities, more police on the streets, the upgrading of hospitals and schools haven’t started, the Conservatives will lose a chance to take another winnable seat from Labour.
Yes, money is tight and the pandemic has been costly, but people in the North want to see action and not just hear words.
RON GODFREY, Claygate, Surrey.
Ticket to fly
BRITISH Airways is rolling out digital global vaccination passports for its passengers. No doubt other airlines and travel firms will follow suit. But why have this piecemeal approach?
Why is the Government dithering? in 2019, Britons made 72 million visits to europe and 4.8 million to the u.s.
Most of us accepted foreign trips were a no-go last year, but with the Government trumpeting the success of the vaccination roll-out and the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of restrictions, we have been booking overseas holidays.
Mr Johnson, make vaccination passports available now.
ROBERT BISHOP, Billingshurst, W. Sussex. ADD vaccination details to biometric passports — surely they are the ideal place to store this sensitive personal information.
NEVILLE PHAURE, Stourbridge, W. Mids.
No vaccine, no hair cut
HAs vaccination discrimination started? My 84-year- old mother phoned her hairdresser of 20 years to make an appointment for when the salons re-open.
The first question was: ‘Have you had your jab?’
When my mother replied ‘No, i declined’, she was told she couldn’t have her hair done.
is our personal freedom and ability to make our own choices being eroded under the guise of pandemic protection?
JONQUIL READMAN, Cambridge.
Home truths
THE Government is to supply ‘simple, safe and secure’ purposebuilt accommodation for asylum seekers while their claims are processed (Mail).
The military barracks formerly used weren’t good enough. At the same time, it’s been revealed that thousands more than previously thought are homeless.
My son can’t even get on the local council housing list — because there isn’t one.
BRENDA MICHAEL, Crawley, W. Sussex.
Messy motorways
LAST week, i made my first longdistance business delivery in a year. Travelling on motorways and A-roads to London and back, i was shocked.
every mile of the journey was like driving through a landfill site.
i felt so ashamed of our country. surely we can’t open up Britain to visitors when it’s in such a mess. BOB BRAY, Huddersfield, W. Yorks.