Penalty’s put me off coming to city again
RE: M.E.N., Friday, March 1, 2019.
I was charged with a bus lane penalty on February 20, 2019, at Oxford St [Whitworth St West to Chepstow St]. I did not know that I had committed an offence until I received a penalty notice from Manchester City council.
I went back the Sunday after to weigh up the situation. At the junction, there were no signs until after the junction, where there was a small sign stating no cars at certain times. To act on this, one would have to make an emergency stop. Before the junction, there were no No Entry signs and no filter arrows to the left or right. There were traffic lights which were on green – and green, according to the Highway Code, means to go ahead if the road is clear, which it was.
As the road ahead was a No Entry, at that time of day there should not have been a green light but filter arrows to the left and right.
I walked up this section of Oxford Street and in five minutes there I saw one bus, three taxis and two private cars. If two cars go through this junction every five minutes, it just shows the signs are inadequate.
I have appealed against this fine, without success ... although I am innocent of being aware of driving into a so called bus gate. I was not aware of driving into a bus gate due to lack of signage.
I have asked Manchester City Council why there is a bus gate there, but they have not told me and I have suggested to them: is it just to rob the innocent motorist of their hard-earned income, and they have not denied this. Is this their way of stopping cars coming into the city? If so, I have stopped going into the City of Manchester. After 80 years of going in without a problem, I get robbed by the council.
No more shopping [no wonder that shops are having to close in the city], no more meals out and no more nights out.
Highway Observer, Macclesfield
Inspired
I DON’T know whose decision it was to send for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer when it was determined “the special one” should become “the departed one.” But it’s proving inspired. Now those who call the shots at United should prevaricate no longer: give him the job now.
He may or may not secure that fourth spot so crucial for Champions’ League qualification but let him start now on the task of rebuilding a squad that will qualify for Europe as a matter of course.
No-one would have believed such a transformation were possible, had we not witnessed it with our own eyes.
Why ... he’s even got Lukaku scoring again !
Fred Boggart, Moston
A failure
JUST when is the failing Grayling going to be sacked? Considering we are in the age of austerity, Chris Grayling is wasting eye-watering billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on disastrous contracts. The man is an absolute disgrace – why is he still in the job ? Trains, ferries, the Probation Service, to name but a few, are all part of his catastrophic decisions and irresponsible misuse of public money. How many hospitals and doctors would all this wasted money have paid for!
Grayling’s smirking arrogance and sense of self-importance is breathtaking.
I thought the Tories were all about saving money, but not on Grayling’s watch apparently.
Mrs Jacqueline Ratcliffe, Salford
Momo advice
THE so-called “Momo challenge” has been making headlines and causing concern for parents. According to news reports, Momo is a creepy doll-like figure which is said to appear in social media, videos and games online.
This is what parents need to know, and what you can do to protect your child:
Set age-appropriate boundaries. Children of any age should be very cautious about adding anyone they don’t know to their networks;
Have open conversations about online safety, and let your child know they can come to you if they see anything that upsets or worries them;
Report any Momo-related content to the platform (eg, YouTube, Instagram);
Teach your child what it means to be assertive and explore saying no to doing things they don’t want to do – whether face to face or online.
Get help: our website www. kidscape.org.uk has advice for families about online safety.
Momo may be frightening to children, in particular younger children. Memes like the Momo challenge draw their power from fear, so make sure your children see that you’re not scared of Momo, and it’s a problem you can solve together.
Lauren Seager-Smith, Kidscape
Act on litter
I FULLY agree with Pete Lower M.E.N. (Mar 2) – littering needs to be dealt with not only in Manchester centre, but also Salford.
Fining people dropping litter is one of the best deterrents, but I’ve noticed the litter patrols on Salford precinct have been scrapped because of abuse and threats.
I feel it’s important not to be deterred by a few and the bylaws enforced. Bring back the patrols and give them support.
Phil Meakin, Salford