The car cruisers are doing no harm to our neighbourhoods
YOUR article ‘Car cruising ban after complaints’ (February 22) and the Clarification (March 1) suggest that these small-scale social events are creating disturbance and anxiety in the neighbourhood.
I have seen these ‘meets’ while visiting the pubs on Heaton Lane and Newbridge Lane, and my initial sense of righteous indignation quickly changed to an appreciation of the social value of the event when I saw there was neither danger nor aggression and I now see them as expressions of pride and self-esteem among their small community.
The car owners clearly invest effort, skill and money customising their cars and honing driving skills and they are not going to risk damaging the cars while showing off the acceleration and cornering.
This is borne out in 12 years of meetings. Both venues have no residential neighbours to disturb and the only businesses open in the evening are the pubs whose business is not affected.
The new hotel is behind Regent House offices and should not be disturbed.
I am opposed to a protection order and I would be pleased to read an interview with some of the participants for their views.
After all, meeting in the car parks keeps the young men literally ‘off the streets’ and, I believe, out of trouble. Julian Hardstone Heaton Norris
MORE ROADS, MORE CARS
I SUSPECT that the picture of the Goyt Valley published last week under the article about the A6-M60 bypass was an error on the paper’s part.
The Goyt Valley pictured is in the Peak District whereas the Goyt and Poise Brook Valleys under threat in Graham Trickey’s letter are actually in Bredbury, Offerton and Hazel Grove.
When will politicians learn that more roads leads to higher car use and the real answer to congestion is more planning on trains, trams, cycle routes and dedicated bus lanes? (With more than one express bus a day such as the under utilised park & ride at Hazel Grove).
Buses are much cheaper than trains to use but the council lack the courage to create dedicated bus lanes along the A6 so, as a result, people are reluctant to use the bus due to the time it takes to get into Manchester. A sorry state indeed. Tracey Lancaster Hazel Grove
DOG OWNERS ARE TO BLAME
THE tragic incident in which four sheep were killed and others injured at Stanley Hall Farm, Cheadle Hulme, clearly demonstrates the need for all dog owners to be fair to farm animals and farmers whose livelihoods depend on them.
Dogs are intelligent and respond to up-todate training, but they are carnivorous biologically and psychologically geared to preying on other species.
It is unreasonable to keep a pet dog on the lead when there are sheep, cows, homes etc around and keep them securely behind locked doors and gates when at home.
On the other hand, should this owner have taken on a big, husky type with strong drives, when he or she was unable to contain or control it?
Time and time again dogs get a bad press, when it is clearly the irresponsible owner’s fault.
Too many terrible incidents have occurred through highly active and motivated animals falling into the wrong hands for the need to restrict commercial trade in dogs to be safely ignored.
Truly dedicated would be owners who would be prepared to take more trouble to acquire a young dog with the right upbringing or care and the right physical and character make-up for their circumstances. Katherine Watson Bramhall