Where’s vision for the future?

I was sadly underwhelmed by the council’s new leader Ben Fitter-harding’s “vision for the future” [‘New man in charge to lead a digital revolution, Gazette, September 17]. The district will be saved by a digital transformation and services won’t be cut. Hooray! Little mention of the people who pay council tax or what they might want. Will he consult them

or just plough ahead with what the council want, not the people it serves?

I’m glad Fitter-harding thinks Station Road West looks better with the addition of the multistorey car park. The beautiful chestnut trees and the elegant station make that street attractive. And what will happen to the ugly lump of black tarmac at the other end of the street used as a temporary car park when building the multi-storey? Will this area remain permanently vacant or will houses be built on this land ideally placed so close to the station?

In July 2019, Canterbury city councillors unanimously voted to declare a climate change emergency to set targets to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2030. But the new leader didn’t mention it. There is already a draft Corporate Plan for 2020-2022, setting out some targets on tackling climate change. Hopefully he’ll get round to reading it at some stage. Surely “vision” isn’t all about rubbish bins and car parking charges. It is also about working with residents and their environment.

The woods, parks and green

spaces which have given so much solace to people recently need protecting, particularly the chalk river Stour and the Wincheap water meadows, which are under threat from yet more parking! Despite the present Covid situation, climate catastrophe is a reality.

It’s not words that are needed, the leader and the council urgently need to take action before it’s too late!

Pip Chapelard

Roper Road, Canterbury