Metrolink has some questions to answer
HOW safe is Metrolink? There appears to be no evidence to say it isn’t, but it’s a question we are entitled to ask after the second major breakdown on the system in just three months.
On both occasions - the second being on Saturday - the tram network ground to a complete standstill resulting in chaos for thousands of travellers.
And on both occasions the problem was attributed to ‘a communications fault.’
During the earlier problem in May, Metrolink went further by way of explanation telling us control room staff lost visible contact with trams. Now that sounds pretty scary to me. One assumes it’s a computer problem as Metrolink, on both occasions, denied suggestions they may have been ‘hacked’.
Why does a system which cost an astronomical amount of public money appear to be so faultridden? Fred Boggart, North Manchester.
Time for HMS Manchester
THE latest Type 26 Frigate for the Royal Navy has begun construction. HMS Glasgow is the first of eight of the new “City Class” frigates, surely one of the next seven frigates to be built at BAE Systems shipyards has to be called HMS Manchester? I feel a campaign coming on led by our city mayor Andy Burnham. Alan Quinn, Prestwich
Don’t waste precious food
READING about the pop-up waste food restaurant rang a bell with me.
We can use up leftovers, shop carefully and compost peelings, but also encourage our supermarkets to reduce food waste and the falseeconomies of over-selling (BOGOF) - used to attract customers from competitors, but ultimately paid for by customers and squeezed farmers.
And the climate changing and environmental impact of this scandal costs us all.
Tearfund’s ‘Renew our food’ campaign allows us to send our call to our own favourite supermarkets, asking them to join in tackling food waste and renewing our world.
Tearfund is an evangelical Christian organisation, but you don’t have to be a person of faith to believe our food (and our world) is a generous gift that shouldn’t be wasted. To find out more and take action visit tearfund.org.uk Tearfund Foodie (Name and address supplied)
What are guards for?
THE ongoing RMT rail strike is all about one thing, the position of guards on trains.
The union says guards are there for the safety of passengers, but there was a recent case of a 70-yearold lady and her granddaughter travelling to London with their seats reserved only to find two businessmen sat in the seats clearly marked with their names.
The men refused to move and the guard was summoned but said there was nothing he could do. The two ladies were left to stand for the entire journey. So much for having guards on trains. Name and address supplied
City is one of contrasts
THERE can be no doubt Manchester is thriving in many parts.
The trams give us that European look and the restaurants, hotels, the new-look Victoria Station epitomise the fact we are a Cosmopolitan city of many creeds and cultures.
The number of people living in our city probably guarantees that the future is simply incredible.
Manchester Airport is expanding in a way that also reflects the success of our city and its hinterland Trafford Centre booms.
United and City have helped put us on the global map.
However, we also have the other extreme with too many deprived areas. Lots of people live in poor housing. Far too many are obese and have poor lifestyle choices which reflects on our poor health record.
Far too many do not have basic maths skills or can read in a satisfactory way.
Our local Politicians may well reflect in the global success of our great city, but they should also heed the warning from Moliere: “It is not only what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.” Harry Singleton, Ashton-Under-Lyne