Council can set better, greener example
APPARENTLY, the people who run Cardiff council aim to make the city “stronger, fairer and greener”. I am wondering why, then, they are still committed to environmentally destructive schemes like the unnecessary indoor arena and the replacement of one of the few remaining green spaces in Cardiff Bay by a military medicine museum with unrealistic projected visitor numbers.
Residents near Llandaff Road have seen a council, which has declared a climate emergency, allow the destruction of a growing number of mature trees at the behest of “developers” – leaving local residents to suffer a reduced quality of life.
At The Rise site on Penhill Road, mature trees in Llandaff Fields were cut down to improve the view for potential residents of, what turns out to be, an unremarkable block.
At Suffolk House, beautiful trees were replaced by expensive, but uninspiring “town houses”.
Across the road at the corner of Romilly Crescent and Llandaff Road, also in a conservation area, there are plans to fell yet more mature trees and so further degrade our environment.
Replanting is no substitute for maintaining mature trees. Trees mitigate pollution and global warming, produce oxygen, reduce flood risk, provide homes for birds and animals and improve mental health by offering a restful green backdrop to our lives. Yet, in planning applications, they seem so easily brushed aside because they are inconvenient to landscaping aspirations.
In our capital city, is this the best example that we can set, or are we becoming the capital of greenwash? Peter Morgan
Canton, Cardiff
Historic victory makes us feel so proud
SO PROUD of the boys after the historic first ever win on South African soil. What nerves of steel from Gareth Anscombe to land that tricky conversion at the death.
Let’s build on the victory and claim a series victory in the third Test. Now that truly would be historic – and not predicted by many pundits.
Ed O’Grady
Canton, Cardiff
Look after our pets during heatwave
WITH temperatures set to rise in many parts of the UK this week – making it the second heatwave to hit the country this month – it’s important to remember that our animal companions rely on us to keep them cool, hydrated, and safe in scorching temperatures.
Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat, so they can succumb to heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes. Symptoms include restlessness and excessive thirst, thick saliva, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, a dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, glassy eyes, and lack of coordination. If a dog shows any of these symptoms, get them out of the heat, move them into an airconditioned space or immerse them in cool (not cold or iced) water for two minutes, and call a local veterinarian.
To avoid tragedy, walk dogs in the early morning or late evening on especially hot days. And be mindful that flat-faced breeds are more prone to overheating due to breathing problems caused by selective breeding.
In addition, never leave a dog in a parked car: on a 26C day, the inside of a vehicle left in the sun can reach 70C in just minutes. If you see a distressed dog in a car, take down the car’s details, try to locate the owner, and call local authorities. If they’re unresponsive and the dog’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness who will back up your assessment of the situation, take steps to remove the suffering animal, and then wait for authorities to arrive.
For more information on keeping animals safe in hot weather, please visit PETA.org.uk.
Jennifer White
Media and communications manager, PETA Foundation
Replanting is no substitute for maintaining mature trees
Peter Morgan
Summer service not up to scratch
I WASN’T surprised to learn that Cardiff Bus will be running a Saturday service during the summer months – they treat passengers with disdain at the best of times and this proves that point.
There is no consideration for people trying to get to work or for families hoping to go out during the long summer break. They just don’t care. Of course if you complain you are told to cycle or walk, what a joke. This announcement won’t affect me directly as I haven’t had access to a bus for more than four years and I have to use my eco friendly car to get around or I would be stuck at home.
The bus company is run by the council and as they were elected again in May by the people of Cardiff for another term of office we are stuck with them. The people have made their choice and all of us will have to suffer the consequences.
What a dreadful way to run a capital city.
Sian Davies
Roath Park, Cardiff
Don’t forget the ‘other’ nations
WATCHING various Englandbased TV news channels last week as growing numbers of Westminster ministers were resigning, fed up with Boris Johnson, I couldn’t help noticing that, in every interview with MPs, what was at stake, they said, was the future of “the country” and “the nation”.
After more than 20 years of growing devolution, these (almost entirely English) MPs failed to reflect the concept that this UK consists of four nations. So either they were concerned only with England or, more likely, they are still stuck in a pre-21st Century political hole.
You can’t have it two ways. Either Wales and Scotland are each “a country” or if the UK is one country, what are Wales and Scotland? Is it so difficult to refer to “the nations of the UK”?
John D Rogers Nantymoel
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