I would gladly pay tax on emissions from my bicycle
IN reply to Edwin King (Letters, July 4) asking if it is right to make cyclists pay ‘road tax’: Typical illinformed drivel from the anti-cyclist motorists!
He, presumably as a car driver, should be aware that motorists haven’t paid ‘road tax’ for years. What you actually pay is VED (vehicle excise duty), based on the emissions of your vehicle.
Now if Mr King would like me to pay VED based on the emissions of my bike I’d be delighted.
The fact is that many people who ride bikes are, like myself, car drivers too and have as much right to use the roads as any car.
The fact is that the tax collected from the motorist does not get spent on the roads, as can be seen by the state of them!
Every bike is one less car for Mr King and his like to clog up the roads, he should be thanking us! Anthony Naulty, Stockport
SPEED CAMERAS NEEDED – NOW
MARPLE Road, Offerton, is for most parts of the day, nose to tail traffic. An estimated 25,000 vehicles a day use the road.
During quiet times however, the road becomes a race track.
On the stretch between Woodlands Drive and Lisburne Lane, I regularly see vehicles travelling in excess of 50 mph and reckon myself to be a fair judge of speed.
Also, I can say in all honesty that cars have, on rare occasions, passed my house at around 100mph.
One day last week, a driver left an injured mother badger to die in agony, her cubs left to flee in terror. How long before a person is injured?
In addition, we have the local toe-rags on noisy quad bikes and motorbikes – many without number plates – being an utter nuisance.
Speed cameras are needed on this road NOW!
I shall be asking my local councillor to instigate some action but expect the usual Stockport council response: “The answer is no, now what’s the question?” Martin Cross Offerton
HOMES ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY
LAST week Councillor Alex Ganotis stated that most new homes built in Stockport will be nonaffordable as we already have enough affordable homes.
He or she should open their eyes and explain why there are so many people on the housing waiting list unable to get a home.
And also why so many people are living in overcrowded homes and hostels and why so many others can’t get or afford a mortgage.
If you can’t see reality you’re not fit for the job. Sara Moor Portwood