Student housing is the cause of parking issues

LAST week we had a leaflet delivered from the local Labour councillors, informing us of what they call a consultation on parking in the Cathays area of Cardiff.

It gave short notice to respond and would have alienated people who cannot respond as the options are email or email. The email address says it all as it includes the word objections within it; therefore any body that doesn’t respond can be counted as happy with the pretend proposal.

Once again these councillors are in denial when it comes to the reasons for the parking problems in this area. They imply the problems are caused by commuter parking, while the obvious reason is too many students bringing cars with them.

The blame for the parking problem needs to be laid firmly on the shoulders of Cardiff councillors who have allowed property speculators to convert perfectly good two and three-bed family homes into six and seven-bedroom dwellings, whose occupants are all adults with many bringing cars with them. You don’t need a maths degree to work out that this would likely cause a problem. The old adage that you can’t fit a quart into a pint pot seems to have gone over our councillors’ heads.

It looks as if family and friends will only be allowed two hours to visit – you have to wonder what sort of person thinks that’s a good idea. The whole system needs looking at with the needs of permanent ratepaying residents being the priority.

This leaflet also contains two email addresses with strange references – one contains the words “keeping Cardiff moving”. Which is very strange as this council is constantly taking measures to interfere with the flow of traffic.

For some reason this leaflet also has a very long email address which contains the words “Proposals under cycleway 1:2”. Very strange as cycles are very much in a minority in this area as in the rest of Cardiff. This council’s mania for trying to force us all to cycle, walk or use public transport knows no bounds, it would seem. It’s about time we elected someone who would legalise freedom of choice, but that would mean removing this bunch from office.

Frank Spragg

Cathays, Cardiff

Act now to tackle the climate crisis

THE recent Cop26 event has shown how serious our climate crisis is and how much influence big business, and in particular fossil fuel companies, have on our lives.

Even now some car makers are refusing to put an end date for making new petrol cars. Even now the UK Government refuses to promise not to open new coal mines and new oil fields. Even now we are providing tax-free fossil fuel for aircraft.

The tears of island representatives, at Glasgow, as they explained how their countries are going underwater, should warn us here in Cardiff that we are also in danger of serious flooding.

This can not go on. We need to stop inappropriate planning applications. We need to deal with surface flooding. We need to change Cardiff council at the very first opportunity.

Steffan Webb

Llandaff North, Cardiff

What if Bale had been rugby star?

FOOTBALLER Joe Ledley recently stated, with some eloquence and insight, that Gareth Bale would have had more recognition if he had been English.

Might I hypothesise further and add that, within Wales, he would have had more recognition if he was a rugby player.

V Richards

Merthyr Tydfil

This council’s mania for trying to force us all to cycle, walk or use public transport knows no bounds...

Innovation plays big part in saving planet

Frank Spragg

IS THE Cop26 agreement enough?

I hope I’m wrong but I think the answer is no. Some results are encouraging. But grand proclamations mean nothing unless followed up with results. Those results should all be leading to one goal – to keep temperatures rising below 1.5°C.

But even on the most optimistic forecast, the temperatures are going to be higher and that doesn’t take into account the extra emissions from the horrendous fires around the world during the summer.

Science tells us what we must do – leave fossil fuels in the ground. The cost of this will mean a huge investment in clean renewables and possible changes to our lifestyles. It’s an incredibly hard task but we must try because what’s the alternative? There isn’t any alternative other than a descent into hell. I’m not a climate scientist, but, as a mathematician, I’ve studied the numbers, and they all point towards this conclusion.

The good news is there are hundreds of innovative businesses investing in research and development in renewable energy. These private businesses are leading the way.

But it will take more investment and time. Papering over the cracks (metaphorically speaking) such as by building stronger flood defences will not be enough because we don’t know where the boundaries lie. And remember, if sea levels rise, it’s not something that can be undone. This is why it’s so important to fix it. The consequences of climate change could be permanent for us all.

But do the politicians have the political will to do it or do the people understand the seriousness of the climate crisis?

The irrefutable truth is that the planet’s temperature has already increased by 1.3°C and will spiral out of control unless we all act. Political parties and people around the world must work together to solve the most serious crisis that humankind has ever faced.

Dr Keith Darlington Caldicot

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