Let’s be thankful no lives were lost
Editor News editor I had to chuckle at Mr Wetton’s letter headlined as ‘Motorway bridge danger to Walkers’ (KM September 2, Page 42).
His hypothetical notion that he and his fellow ramblers could have been on the bridge over M2 at the time of the incident, if it had happened on Sunday instead of Saturday and if the transporter had set out a day earlier.
He seems to have a vivid imagination and a desire to dramatise the situation beyond what was in fact a very lucky escape for all those involved.
Hypothetically, it could have been a coach load of holiday makers it fell on instead of a lorry.
And it could have been any vehicle other than a motorcycle that would have ploughed into the fallen bridge.
It reminds me of a saying that has been a source of amusement in my family for years,” If we had some ham, we could have ham and eggs, if we had the eggs.”
Let’s all be thankful no lives were lost and admire the motorcyclist, who at 73, had the presence of mind to lay his bike on its side and together they slid under the debris, saving his life. I am 72 and dread to think what I would have done, faced with the same situation. I thought those kind of stunts happened only in the movies.
I am not a religious man, but cannot help thinking a greater force was in control on the day and looking out for those guys and sending them back to their families intact.
We should all be grateful to our emergency services who when needed, step up. Mike Loft Claygate Maidstone astonished an idea to switch off CCTV is even up for debate.
Maidstone has, like all towns, the usual problems, but being part of “Maidsafe” we get to hear the daily going-ons within the town – drug dealing, assaults, theft, anti-social behaviour, etc. From first hand experience CCTV is a fundamental part of prevention and capture of the people who engage in this behaviour.
Weekly in the KM there are reports of crimes that have taken place within the town, where CCTV is used to watch and catch the people who perpetuate these crimes.
So surely the question shouldn’t be “should it be switched off”. It should be “should we extend” and as for the big brother syndrome, well if you aren’t doing anything wrong you’ve nothing to fear. Nick Batchelor via email