MARKET traders say Council parking van is scaring off customers:
idlejohn: “Kirklees Council will end up with the town centre they deserve – deserted. The council never has been a friend of the retail trade in Huddersfield and these tactics by traffic attendants shows their true colours.
“Many people I know have deserted Huddersfield for shopping because of the parking problems and harassment by the council and this obviously continues. Traffic wardens used to be friendly, helpful and respected when they were first introduced into the town – but what a change we now see as KMC turn to money-raising in any way possible.”
hardupandfedup: “It is perfectly lawful for a car to stop on yellow lines to drop off or pick up a passenger.”
Huddersfax_resident added: “It all depends on which yellow lines and also if ‘loading or unloading’ is permitted, so be careful.”
Urbanwarrior: “I remember when this van was announced in the Examiner the flood of comments saying what a good idea. Stopping bad parking around schools, for example. I was shot down in flames when I suggested it would be used as a cash machine.
“I saw this van passing the Ford Inn above Holmfirth on Sunday afternoon, no doubt on its way to Holmfirth after a tour of Meltham. I didn’t know that schools opened on Sundays. Be safe, keep your car on your drive at home.”
We_are_legion: “I’m afraid that the calculation may be that the fines are of more value than the market traders’ generation of revenue.
“One may ask what motivation an organisation would have in opting to provide a suitably appointed drop-off zone, and in turn lose the revenue for ‘penalty notices’. Penalty being the operative word!”
RAILWAY boozers warned to behave on Real Ale Trail in Huddersfield after unruly behaviour on the tracks:
NorwegianBlue: “This has nothing to do with ‘real ale’ and everything to do with a booze culture that is peculiar to the UK. The route has become popular as a pub crawl and in general it seems that real ale drinkers are staying away at weekends because of the reputation the route has gained.”
Intsticks: “The whole point of this real ale trail is to sample good beers, not get legless!”
Biker: “I completely agree that workers have the right to work without being abused, passengers all have the right to a safe journey and people who cross the tracks, whether inebriated or not, are totally idiotic. But please don’t judge all lager drinkers.”