We can’t ignore obesity problem

As a retired practice nurse, I couldn’t help but notice two articles on the same page of the paper (August 8) - the demise of Spudulike (healthy food) and the opening of a Kripsy Kreme doughnut (evil, sugary, calorie heavy, empty food) at the Outlet.

Is there any hope for our society?

When will people wake up to the damage they are doing living on fast, junk food. We have a huge obesity problem in Ashford but I refuse to call it an epidemic - epidemic means something random attacking you. But every mouthful is a deliberate act. Your jaws don’t start working at random, only when you put something in your mouth.

It has been known for some time that obesity is second to smoking in preventable causes of cancer.

Should the local authorities somehow limit the number of fast food outlets in a given area?

Some will chunter about the “nanny state” but we intervened to check the spread of TB, we stopped children going into mines, we made sure workers had rights - surely it is time something was done about the spread of junk food outlets.

I have worked with many doctors who were excellent with addiction problems but the first step always has to come from the patient.

They have to want to make the right choices. Have we lost sight of the fact that change has to come from making healthy choices? We should be helping people to make right choices, not throwing temptation in their way. I suppose in places like the outlet centre, profit comes before everything else. But the NHS bill should wake us up.

June Gooch

New Romney will resort to taking their rubble elsewhere, how much will that cost the council to remove, or the damage to the countryside if not removed?

This is a false economy to attempt to make more money for the council.

Why not put a limit on the amount of bags a household takes to the tip, by noting vehicle registration numbers and have the driver sign for them.

A. Jowdie

Ashford scooters. It is no fun being sucked along by the slipstream of a bulky 45-tonne juggernaut.

We need to generate a safe and wellmaintained system that is welcoming to all age groups and abilities.

ABC and KCC must grasp the nettle with a pragmatic approach if we are intending to upgrade our network and they must pay attention to design and detail. We must understand that we are way behind many European countries.

Just take an example, National Route 18 at the entrance to the Julie Rose Stadium. Cyclists are required to cross the fast moving traffic twice, once at a blind bend. There is a central refuge but this is far too small. It will not accommodate a tandem, a recumbent, a bike with a trailer, or a tricycle.

At such importantly-located traffic crossing points, lights should have been provided years ago.

We need people with practical experience and pragmatic forethought to press ahead.

Ted Prangnell

Kennington, Ashford