Time to put environment before needs of drivers
The government had from January to prepare. Even their initial advice was condemned and they’ve been forced to fall in line with the rest of the world. Organisations have taken it on themselves to cancel events. Bojo hasn’t got a clue and if we think it’s bad now, wait till we leave the EU.
THE most reactionary, backward and deluded lobby in this country is car owners.
They refuse to acknowledge they are a problem when it comes to climate change in the same way that Trump refused to see that coronavirus is a major problem until it was forced upon him.
We see the lobby’s power in the ‘greenwash’ of the Kirklees, and locally, the Holme Valley plans on climate change which will actually see an increase in the levels of traffic.
The perfectly reasonable plan to ban cars parking on pavements is a small element in responding to, and this is the operative word, an ‘emergency.’
Our response to this crisis must include more pedestrianisation and cycling, which should have a priority over car usage.
Denis Kilcommons says that it is ‘impractical’
Not so to the Germans, who build housing developments where cars are banned, or to the Dutch who pedestrianise whole streets.
London has already banned such parking, with Scotland likely to follow soon.
It is perfectly possible to build multi-story or underground car parks, to requisition pub and school car parks, to enforce use of garages, to have park and ride, and something that will not be liked but may be necessary, to tax people who concrete over their front gardens, which is an environmental disaster.
We have lived in an era of ‘convenience’ but that is over as coronavirus is beginning to show. Over-weight, lazy car drivers will have to park and walk to their residences. It will be good for their health and good for the planet.
Tougher sentences for criminals
READING about gun crime in the one has to ask how can we stop it?
In last week’s paper I read a number of youths were arrested for a shooting in Brackenhall.
The only thing we have to combat this crime is the police and the courts.
It seems to me that the police are fighting a losing battle, they do all they can to bring a prosecution but the courts have their hands tied by the laws of our country.
In my opinion if a person is found guilty of a gun or knife crime we should be given their names.
The penalty for these crimes should start with a 10-year sentence plus whatever sentence the judge gives, and if it results in a death they should be given a life sentence of a minimum of 60 years without any time off for good conduct.
This may sound hard but we need to get back to being a truly lawful country.
Reading about the gang who had been abusing young girls it said that they had been given a total sentence of 45 years – in my opinion they should have been given 45 years each, and when they had served their sentence, if they were not born in this country they should have been deported.
Now we have had Brexit it should be law that any person wanting to come and live in this country should have to sign a declaration that they will abide by our laws of face deportation.
I have no doubt that some people will think that this is harsh but ask yourself, how would you feel if a member of your family were stabbed or shot to death?