Roath Park becoming an embarrassment

AS A long-time resident of Cardiff and a regular user of the wonderful area of Roath Park, I suspect I will not be the first to have been extremely angered by the current situation of the lake itself and the immediate surrounding public area.

While walking around today I heard many people voicing their disgust at the poor state of the area and what appears to be a severe lack of investment in maintenance.

There appears to be little evidence of the council having any interest in maintaining this gem to its original glory that I well remember from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The whole park is becoming a total embarrassment.

The upper areas of the lake and around the islands is a disgusting mess of raised areas of silt, containing various items of rubbish, including plastic containers, metal cans and even what appears to be “No Parking” cones bedded in the low-water area near the bridge on Wild Gardens Road. Once again, the waters are covered in the horrendous green algae.

I appreciate that this is still the nesting season for many of the varied bird population that live around the lake, but once that reaches its end there should be a large investment by the council to clean the lake, and remove much of the silt that now must surely be contributing to the poor water flow down towards the lower end of the lake and out via the brook.

I am sure money will soon be found to implement the new intended 20mph speed laws across Wales, including our own capital city – hopefully, though, not from the rates paid by local residents. Areas such as Roath Park are an important part of our wellbeing and local heritage, and both we and the local authority that is voted into power have an obligation to maintain and financially invest in important areas of recreation so that they are passed on for generations that follow.

So, pull your finger out, Cardiff council, and clean up these important areas. Denis Hunt Pentwyn, Cardiff

Vision for better grid capacity

ONE of the criticisms raised regarding green energy in the letters pages has been grid capacity, which Ofgem is now addressing by setting out a five-year vision to transform local energy grids to support the transition to a cleaner, affordable, home-grown low-carbon energy system, as part of its draft plans for the next electricity distribution price control.

Consumers will not see any additional costs as a result, due to efficiency savings and reduced investor returns.

Over the next five years, consumers will see:

■ A more secure and reliable electricity network;

■ A grid that allows for innovations to give more control to consumers through better data and more regularly updated prices for peak and off-peak demand;

■ Support and guidance for vulnerable and low-income households.

This transition will pave the way out of relying on expensive and unreliable fossil fuel imports.

The costs of the distribution grids are ultimately paid for by consumers who are facing extraordinary pressure on household bills. Ofgem is proposing tough efficiency targets for the networks and a sharp reduction in allowed rate of return. These changes mean we can accommodate a significant increase in net-zero investment without increasing network charges.

Ofgem is consulting on these Draft Determinations until August 25. Contact Ofgem via email at RIIOED2@ofgem.gov.uk

RIIO-ED2 Team, Ofgem

Once again, the waters are covered in the horrendous green algae

Denis Hunt Pentwyn

Save the planet by going vegan

NO DOUBT about it, the Earth is on fire. Record-high temperatures are hitting the UK, prompting the Met Office to give its first-ever red weather warning because there is a danger to life.

The temperatures must be a wake-up call because, according to scientists, unless we drastically reduce our carbon emissions, areas currently home to a third of the world’s population will be as hot as the Sahara Desert within 50 years. Wildfires are already devastating France, Portugal, Spain and other European countries.

If we want to tackle the growing climate catastrophe, we must look at one of the main culprits: animal agriculture. According to the United Nations, meat, egg and dairy production is responsible for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which, by some estimates, is greater than all the world’s transportation systems combined. That’s why the UN is calling for a global shift towards vegan eating. In addition to helping the environment, every individual who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals per year a trip to the slaughterhouse.

In 2022, we all need to take responsibility for the future of the planet – and the easiest, most impactful way that individuals can make a difference is by going vegan. It’s not too late to create positive change, and it can even save you money on your shopping. PETA offers a free vegan starter kit for anyone looking to make the switch today.

Dr Carys Bennett Corporate Projects Manager PETA Foundation