M4 inaction is harming our economic prospects
HOW is it that the majority of the Welsh population can see the chaos caused by the lack of any expenditure to relieve con- gestion around the Brynglas Tun- nels in Newport, yet the Labour Welsh Government either cannot or continues to ignore it?
I appreciate this is a well-worn subject, but the lack of any action in addressing the issue becomes more and more worrying every day. Social media posts consistently comment very sarcastically in a damaging way to Wales on the unimaginable time delays travellers are experiencing due to this infrastructure problem. South-east Wales is going to become a no-go area soon, with more chance of people travelling to Afghanistan than Wales for a holiday.
There is no economic ambition at the Senedd and a total lack of understanding of how to boost the economy and how economic forces work. Mr Drakeford and Mr Gething perform like the Chuckle Brothers. Don’t they realise that if you want to encourage economic growth good infrastructure is the foundation needed? For every pound that would be spent on relief works – whatever form they take – three times of value would be created in the Welsh economy. An M4 relief work project would create massive job opportunities for many years to come and support continuing business growth.
Mr Drakeford’s gang are only interested in adopting policies that make them feel and look good (metaphorically speaking). They bury their heads in the sand for any economic matters and have no interest in the consequences their lack of action has on all of us.
Unfortunately, if we do not make an effort to vote Mr Drakeford and his left-wing cronies out of office, we will continue to dig an economic grave for ourselves. It would be great if someone could start setting up a new political party whose first objective would be to resolve the M4 issues at Newport. I am sure they could encourage a lot of people to vote that normally can’t be bothered and also secure a landslide victory. Clifford Roger Lakeside, Cardiff
Close bars while match being played
IN RESPONSE to the Echo (November 12) report, “Bad behaviour minimal at Wales game, insists WRU”, I was amazed and angered when I watched Mark Williams’ interview on television.
How did he have the audacity to play down the problems that he has at the Principality Stadium? He reminded me of this government, out of touch with the people that matter – in this case the loyal spectators.
I have been following the national team home and away since the ’50s and have been a debenture holder for almost 50 years. During the past few years, I have experienced a marked deterioration in crowd behaviour.
It would seem Mr Williams has different criteria than I do in assessing behavioural problems. I have written to the WRU on a number of occasions, the latest was this week, and I am still waiting a reply.
My grievance over the years has been the fact that bars are open during the actual match as the disturbance and thus annoyance of folk passing by for refills and spilling beer is not acceptable.
At one of the games last year, the anthems had just finished and the kick-off imminent when one person decided to go to the bar. Question to Mr Williams: does he pay £100+ for his ticket, does he have to endure the disturbance caused by these so-called supporters? Answer: no.
Let us be honest, Mr Williams, you have a problem at the stadium – profits from the sale of alcohol seems to be uppermost in your mind. Yes, there is an alcohol-free area. However, what about those of us who have purchased debentures and have to endure such anti-social behaviour? Closing the bars while the match is in progress is, in my opinion, the only answer; however, I am sure that will not happen. Eifion Rees
Newent, Gloucestershire
Mr Drakeford and Mr Gething perform like the Chuckle Brothers
Clifford Roger Lakeside
Education with a competitive edge
HAVING urged a reform of our health system (“It’s time for a debate as the NHS isn’t working”, Letters, November 3), I can now quote an example from my educational experience which demonstrated a flawed and inflexible 1970s system.
For my Form 3 (Year 9) options, I chose to study Latin, but a class was not arranged as only six pupils in my year opted for this so-called obsolete language. I was gutted. Instead, I opted for French, German and Welsh, but I felt let down by the system that was supposed to serve all our children’s needs.
Having recently studied Spanish to A-level standard (and acquired a beautiful Cuban chica along the route), I have embarked on a selftaught Latin project and it is tops: stimulating and fulfilling. Latin is a highly tuned technological device and I would like to see a school system today where a boy/girl who wants to study a classical language is free to find a suitable educational solution.
The parents and guardians of a child would receive an educational voucher from the state and they are then free to shop around the town for the curriculum they have a passion for. With so many commercial incentives available in this educational marketplace, a classicist with entrepreneurial vision will establish a school with a classics specialism; an innovative rugby coach will proudly found a sporting school to become the Millfield of South Wales; a school focused on literature will emerge – the possibilities are endless. Such a competitive marketplace will act as a catalyst for educational good practice, reform and operational efficiency. Everyone’s a winner.
PS – Watch our ascent up the economic growth premiership in the medium-term too.
Ian Roblin, Llanishen, Cardiff
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