I’m forced to pay the penalty for using tram
OVER the Christmas period we had our staff party in Manchester and as is the protocol on such occasions, I picked as many up as I could, drove to the tram station and left the car there.
No dramas with the weather, or girls walking in high heels, and no worries about drinking and driving.
Pick the car up the next day and a fantastic night in town was had by all.
I left the car at Whitefield station as usual as it is a very large car park and to my horror when collecting the car, had a £100 parking ticket issued by Care parking.
Now I understand that places like Heaton Park, Prestwich, and Besses have limited space and would not dream of leaving a car there overnight but Whitefield and Radcliffe are massive areas, taken out of our community for the purpose of using the tram, and I expect to be able to use this facility as I need to.
We all bought rover or return tickets – though all ended up coming home by taxi as is the normal state of affairs when having a night out in the north’s finest city.
This is a scandalous method of raising, yet more, revenue from us at the very same time as adding 50p to the cost of a ticket.
What do they expect people to do? Get taxis to the tram? Park outside of residents’ homes? Drink and drive?
No matter how responsible you try to be there always seems to be a bureaucracy that thwarts your best efforts. Who made the decision to put these restrictions in place? Was there any consultation with local residents?
I would be interested in the views of local residents, councillors and our MP on this matter.
A prepayment scheme, if revenue is needed, for an overnight stay or leave the receipt part of your dated tram ticket on view in the window of the car. A fine of £100 is extortionate and totally out of proportion – particularly as a regular tram user and visitor to both Manchester and Bury and an investor in the shops, pubs and restaurants of both.
I now have to consider whether that has been misplaced. Pat McAndrew, Whitefield
‘Makeover’ looks cheap
IF titivating a few awnings and signs constitutes a master plan for Royton town centre, some of the rodents running Oldham council should hide themselves in shame (The new £5m vision for Royton, M.E.N. January 3).
The precinct needs demolishing, it is not fit for purpose and as a resident of Royton, I am fed up of being fobbed off with cheap makeovers. David Smith, Royton
More risk on 20mph roads
IT’S been interesting to read that Bath council are planning to scrap their 20mph speed limits.
The low limit has resulted in a significant rise in fatal injuries. Whoever thinks of these things never seem to consider the human psychological reaction to changes.
Driving slower will obviously injure pedestrians less. The problem comes from people having less consideration for the traffic, as they assume it’s safer and therefore take greater subconscious risks.
It’s unfortunate they were introduced in Manchester, before any real effectiveness was considered. Paul Moody, Littleborough
Reds behind Merseysiders
WHILST I commend Samuel Luckhurst on his article (United Walk On as Anfield sits in the shade,
M.E.N., January 4), with his excellent points that most United fans and pundits couldn’t get anywhere near, or possibly understand, may I respectfully point out two things:Firstly, since Alex Ferguson retired, Liverpool have got nearer to winning the title than United have.
Secondly, regardless of how much money has been spent, or big name arrivals that have signed for United since Ferguson retired, David de Gea has been United’s best and most important player every single season.
Over to you Samuel. Rich Snowdon, Astley Bridge