Anti-nuclear protest utterly sane
THE campaigns against nuclear weapons are, contrary to what Beatrice Cook (Your Views, December 5) may state, are utterly sane and sound.
Indeed this year at the UN General assembly 123 nations (an overwhelming majority) voted to negotiate a legally binding treaty ‘to prohibit nuclear weapons leading to their total elimination.’
There is massive global support for a treaty, so, ultimately, the renewal of Trident will be untenable.
Trident does not keep anyone in Rochdale or the UK secure.
Our main risks as defined by the government are from ‘terrorists’ (remember the attacks in London or on New York?) and cyber warfare.
Trident is useless against either.
If even one of the bombs on the missiles were to be exploded either by intent or accident it would be the end of life on the planet as we know it.
The cost in public, our, money, of keeping and replacing Trident is a whopping £205bn.
Even allowing for money needed for de-commissioning the weapon, it would still allow millions to be used for health and welfare where funds are being slashed by the week. Those who work in the industry would be best served by supporting plans to provide jobs and skilled jobs in socially useful industries. Rae Street Littleborough
PROBLEMS SO PREDICTABLE
DAVID Hodgin (Your Views, December 7) is right to place the blame on Rochdale council for the predictable problems of three-weekly bin collections of nonrecyclable waste.
In my experience binmen are instructed not to collect ‘side-waste.’
When the system of three-weekly collections was introduced in Bury we warned Bury council of the likelihood of an increase in fly-tipping, and in the Bury case we’ve had an increase of vermin sightings.
My union continues to oppose the move to reduced bin collections by councils in Greater Manchester. Brian Bamford Secretary of Bury Unite commercial branch Kingsland Road Rochdale
PAY RISE NOT JUSTIFIED
I FIND it unbelievable that our local Labour Party councillors are considering voting themselves a massive 34 per cent increase in their pay.
This at a time when many hard pressed Rochdale families are struggling to make ends meet.
I hope that there are enough councillors with the common sense to vote down this insensitive proposal.
I am not suggesting that councillors should not receive an allowance.
Having been one myself I recognise that some remuneration is sensible but an increase of 34pc?
Totally unjustified in the present circumstances.
How coincidental that they are considering this when there are no local elections next year. David Clayton Deepdale Avenue Kingsway
SAFETY IN LACK OF NUMBERS
I SEE rent-a-quote Andy Kelly says the council should not increase members’ allowances.
Typical Lib-Dem. Their tiny group of two councillors oppose anything and everything in the safe knowledge that the majority of councillors will probably vote to accept the independent recommendations.
And then Coun Kelly will slink away and quietly pick up his increase. Anne Williams Wardle Road
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
I WAS reading the Observer, December 10, and saw with interest on your Bygone Days page a picture of Dale Street, Milnrow.
I used to live there as a little girl and therefore seeing the image brought back many pleasant memories of my childhood.
The shop where I used to live is visible next door to the Tim Bobbin pub.
The shop has obviously long since been demolished to make way for the existing road.
I was only seven-yearsold when I lived there and I’m now 87.
I can still remember the names of each of the local businesses and the people that lived there.
Thank you for publishing this photo, and consequently reviving these memories which I have been able to recount to my family. Edith Ford (nee Dyson)
UGLY WAY TO BLOCK VIEW
WHY has the grey wall from the entrance of the old Shopmobility shop right up to the beginning of Newgate House been built?
It blocks off the top corner of views of St Mary’s Gate and our immaculate Memorial Gardens. It looks so ugly. Surely a brickwork or stone wall would have been better. Name and address supplied