North Shore Times (New Zealand)
CONGESTION AND THE LANES OF LAKE ROAD
Following Mr van Ess and Bob Jenner’s (North Shore Times February 2) letters, as another cyclist and driver I endorse Bob’s points and add that the major choke point for cars, other than the back-up on Esmonde Road and Auckland Transport’s refusal to reroute traffic to avoid roadworks, is nothing to to do with the cycle lanes and all to do with the increase in cars used, plus the four lanes at Bardia Street, where since the bike lanes were introduced the right turn lanes in Lake Road have become exclusively turn lanes not straight ahead lanes.
Removing the right turn lanes or at least returning them to provide straight ahead options would increase traffic flow.
Even better would be widening the road through that intersection to increase lanes and flow. Marshall Piercy
Devonport
DRIVER’S LICENCE
In regards to Mary Porter of Hauraki who submitted a racist complaint (North Shore Times February 2) against foreign drivers who ‘‘should not be allowed to drive on a work visa or a foreign driver’s licence’’, I’d like to ask how she knew that the person who had a ‘‘near incident’’ with her other was a foreigner?
Did she see them wave their visa or foreign driver’s licence at her or is she just assuming that because of the colour of their skin?
Racism has no place in our world and people who make negative snap judgements about other people should be called out on their ignorance and bigotry. Ann Mehta
Mairangi Bay
POSSIBILITY OF SHARING THE STRAND
If the Auckland Council is looking at a zebra crossing by Takapuna Beach playground a better option might be making 300m of The Strand a shared space where pedestrians have right of way. Give the beach back to people and not cars.
Brian Mumme
Beach Haven
WHAT ARE DOGS LEAVING BEHIND?
I can concur with Paul Ellis, ‘‘ just plain crazy the beach is for everybody’’. Unfortunately he then went on to support dogs large and small frolicking on our beaches.
I’ve enjoyed our North Shore beaches for 65 years, dogs have always been controversial.
The number grows every year but the owners have certainly improved their own behaviour, they always used to turn a blind eye but it’s now a common sight to see them picking up fresh warm faeces, this is much appreciated.
My concern is the urine, hundreds of man’s best friends are piddling in huge volumes onto our golden sands, where our children will soon be playing, yes I suppose it evaporates but a dog’s diet is similar to their owners, imagine the outrage if hundreds of doggy people were cocking their legs or squatting to urinate on our beaches.
I feel dogs should be banned from all of our beaches throughout the summer months, although it maybe a popular option to designate Takapuna Beach as the only dog accessible beach, the environment there is already a doggy sewer and it would give the us all peace of mind on every other beach.
It’s just plain crazy the beach is for everybody not every dog.
Max Webb
Milford
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HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence without explanation. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa.